Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is facing his first major squad-selection headache of the new LaLiga campaign after the return of Gavi and the arrival of Gabriel Jesus increased the number of available players.
The Catalan giants currently have 24 players available for their trip to Mestalla, but only 23 can make the final matchday squad. That means Flick must make an uncomfortable decision and leave one player out.
The situation has become particularly interesting because both Gavi and Gabriel Jesus have returned to group training. Gavi has recovered from his knee problem, while Jesus has quickly integrated into training following his move from Arsenal.
Flick now has several options, but the decision could come down to the balance of his squad and which positions he considers most important against Valencia.
Alejandro Balde is one of the names reportedly facing uncertainty, despite being an established member of the first-team squad. Another possibility is young midfielder Brian Fariñas, who has recently been promoted to the senior setup and given the number four shirt.
Leaving Balde out would certainly attract attention because of his importance at left-back, while excluding Fariñas would be less surprising given his limited experience at senior level.
The situation also highlights just how much competition there is inside Flick’s squad. Barcelona’s official squad for Valencia contains 24 players, with Gavi, Gabriel Jesus and goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic among the notable additions.
Flick is also dealing with another major selection question surrounding Lamine Yamal. The winger missed part of the final preparations after suffering a knock, although he remains in contention for the match. That gives the German coach even more decisions to make before naming his final XI and matchday group.
Barcelona travel to Mestalla looking to maintain their perfect start to the 2026/27 LaLiga campaign. The match is also expected to be a significant occasion because it could be Barça’s final competitive visit to the historic stadium before Valencia move to their new home.
With only one player able to be sacrificed, Flick’s final decision could reveal plenty about his current hierarchy at Barcelona. Balde or Fariñas may be among the names under consideration, but the final call will depend on the coach’s tactical plans and the condition of his players.
One thing is certain: with Gavi back, Gabriel Jesus available and Yamal’s fitness still being monitored, Flick has suddenly been handed the kind of selection headache every manager wants, but one that could still leave a frustrated Barcelona player watching from the stands.
