Why De La Fuente's recent statement on Lamine Yamal's workload could cost FC Barcelona?

FC Barcelona's start to the 2024/25 campaign has been brilliant, with the club having registered a remarkable UCL matchday win recently and being at the top of the La Liga table. With all the departments—defense, midfield, and attack—contributing significantly to the club's success so far, things seem to be heading in the right direction for the club.

Why De La Fuente's recent statement on Lamine Yamal's workload could cost FC Barcelona?

However, while everything looks good up front, a major issue worrying Barca boss Hansi Flick and staff has been their injury concerns. Already facing scarce options in the club's midfield, with Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez, and Gavi injured, alongside Ronald Araujo and Christensen's unavailability, the club has been facing much due to injuries.

While this issue hasn't been any new to the Blaugrana club, what has been worrying the side is Spain's Boss De La Fuente's recent statement. Barca's sensational star Lamine Yamal, who has been pivotal in the club's season success so far, has had a much heavier workload recently, resting just the first half against Osasuna, and might need a significant break in game time to remain injury-free.

However, with him having been named as a crucial player in Spain's recent squad announcement, Yamal doesn't seem to be getting the needed rest. On top of that came Spain's boss De La Fuente's response to the question of whether he would rest the 17-year-old due to injury concerns. Fuente's response mentioned,

""A FIFA study of 40 national teams over the last 12 years showed that national team minutes account for 3.5% of the minutes players accumulate in their legs. National team matches do not 'injure' anyone.""

- De La Fuente

While it is significantly wise on De La Fuente's part to consider Yamal as pivotal in his setup, the way he has expressed his wording doesn't seem good from Barca's perspective. Not to forget, Barca prodigy Yamal had come significantly close to being injured in the September international break, having faced a strong knock.

Moreover, the manager's statement that national team games don't injure any players seems to be completely false, as the recent examples of Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez indicate. In Olmo's scenario, it all started with a knock against Serbia, while Fermin's injury came while practicing in the nation's camp. On top of that is Gavi's case, who, having faced an ACL injury in Spain's colors, still has yet to return.

Much clearly, De La Fuente's claim is a made-up statement, which could end up being pivotal for Barcelona's season ahead. Given Lamine Yamal's utility and importance in Flick's current Barca setup, the club would hope their star player returns without injury concerns, continuing the way he has been in the season.