Barcelona axe Riqui Puig as per Koeman’s demand and have shown him the door
Barcelona have reportedly considered offloading Riqui Puig in the upcoming winter transfer window as Ronald Koeman has no plans for the Spanish midfielder
Riqui Puig had his breakthrough season last year under Quique Setien at Barcelona. The talent that was displayed by the young Spanish midfielder immediately drew comparisons with Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. However, when there is a change of management at a club there are always a few players that suffer from it and Riqui Puig was one of them from the lot.
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Ronald Koeman was appointed as the manager of the club following the sacking of Quique Setien. The Dutch manager made it clear and simple that he will not opt to play the 4-3-3 formation that Barca has been reliant on for the past few years. The reason behind this drastic measure and change of formation was Koeman believed that the club had no natural wingers to play a 4-3-3.
Instead, the Dutchman opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation. The change of formation was the nail in the coffin for Puig’s career at Camp Nou. However, Koeman had made it clear to Riqui Puig in the summer that he will not have ample opportunities come his way and he must seek to go out on loan to grow as a player.
However, the Spanish midfielder went against the manager’s advice and decided to prove a point by staying on. Which has not exactly gone to play for Puig as the youngster has just played four minutes this season in La Liga.
Reports from SPORT state that Riqui Puig and Carles Alena will be permitted to leave the club this January on loan. Sporting Lisbon, Benfica, and Porto from Portugal have shown a great deal of interest to sign both the players and are willing to offer them an important role in the squad as well.
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What do you make of this situation? Should Puig and Alena go out on loan in January or should they continue to fight for a spot?