Jordi Alba dismisses speculation about his Barcelona future
The 29-year-old pledged his future to Barcelona as he attended a press conference for the Spanish national team.
Alba revealed that he is happy to stay at Barcelona, but his future is in the hands of the club as reported by Sport. There had been rumours about a potential move because his contract is set to run out in 2020, and he is yet to be offered an extension, with Tottenham among other clubs interested in signing him.
He played a key part in Barcelona’s season because he was involved in 46 games across the three major competitions. Alba had the fifth highest amount of league minutes across the squad. Lucas Digne mostly acted as back-up because he has been unable to wrestle the starting spot away from him.
Few full-backs can offer Alba’s attacking threat in the final third because he often makes use of the openings he finds himself in by picking out a target rather than just firing a cross in.
The recent rumours about his future seem to be nothing more than his agent stirring the pot to try and get him a new contract. His declaration of loyalty has quelled it, but it ensured his name was in the headlines and gave the board something to think about.
Next: World Cup: Is Lionel Messi’s dream over?
Should Barcelona give Jordi Alba a new contract?
More from FC Barcelona News
- Barça boss Xavi to get contract extension
- FC Barcelona planning swoop for Arsenal midfielder
- FC Barcelona tracking 20-year-old goal machine
- Lamine Yamal’s involvement causing tension at FC Barcelona
- How can Xavi unlock Joao Felix for FC Barcelona?
Alba will be 31-years-old by the time his contract runs out. However, there is nothing to suggest that he is going to drop off physically. If anything, he is probably going to be at his peak over the next three or four seasons.
Once he loses his pace he will decline, though, due to being unable to do his surging runs from deep, which are an excellent asset against low blocks
He associates well with Lionel Messi and the importance of their understanding can’t be undervalued. He had eight assists in the league last season and six of them were for Messi. The pattern of play was often Messi coming inside from the right and firing a pass across to Alba who crossed it in first time for Messi to score. These were often done in a crowded penalty area as well.
He understands Barcelona’s system well, and gets his balance of responsibilities spot on for the majority of the time. They should give him a new contract because losing him would be a big blow. Digne would struggle to replicate his attacking influence even he is solid defensively while Marc Cucurella isn’t ready for a starting spot.