Barcelona: Thomas Vermaelen will be out of action for six weeks

Thomas Vermaelen has been ruled out for six weeks

The Barcelona squad has faced another blow after the potential long-term injury to Samuel Umtiti, in the form of a biceps femoris injury to veteran Belgian centre-back Thomas Vermaelen. Vermaelen was replaced in the 73th minute in a UEFA Nations League game against Switzerland.

After medical tests were carried out following his return to Barcelona, the club has officially ruled him out for six weeks, although the figure is tentative, and the injury could easily be aggravated. This is Vermaelen’s ninth injury since joining from Arsenal, and his fifth major one.

More from Everything Barca

• FC Barcelona tracking Belgian Wonderkid
• FC Barcelona vs Betis Player Ratings
• Barça boss Xavi to get contract extension
• FC Barcelona planning swoop for Arsenal midfielder
• Barcelona interested in €30 million wonderkid

This development comes at the worst possible time for Barça. The team is going to be facing a brutal string of fixtures after the international period, including trips to the Wanda Metropolitano and the San Siro, and of course, the El Clásico at the Camp Nou.

Of course, Ernesto Valverde wants to field Gerard Piqué and Samuel Umtiti in these games. But Umtiti has not yet been confirmed as match-fit. In all likelihood, Clément Lenglet will have to replace Samuel Umtiti as Gerard Piqué’s partner in the coming weeks.

So, in that case, the starting partnership of Piqué and Lenglet will be totally without backup, with Thomas Vermaelen sidelined till late November, and Umtiti potentially out for the rest of the year. This will severely affect the side, especially due to the fact that Gerard Piqué is ageing.

Hence, the injury to Thomas Vermaelen could trigger Jorge Cuenca’s call-up to the first-team squad to act as a replacement for the experienced Belgian. The 18-year old La Masia graduate could even make his La Liga debut against the likes of Rayo Vallecano.