Barcelona were dealt a major blow earlier today as it was confirmed that star forward Lamine Yamal is out for a period of three to four weeks with an ankle injury.
The 17-year-old sensation sustained the injury during Sunday night’s 0-1 loss to Leganes and tests today revealed that the injury was worse than initially feared.
As such, the Spanish international will now miss this weekend’s top-of-the-table La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid as well as the Copa del Rey Round of 32 clash versus UD Barbastro in the first week of January.
Lamine’s involvement in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Club on January 8 is also a doubt, posing a major concern for Barcelona.
However, the Catalans’ manager, Hansi Flick, has plenty of options to choose from to replace his talismanic winger for the next two or three matches.
Ferran Torres
The most obvious choice for Flick. Although he has been using Ferran Torres as a striker or on the left flank, the Spaniard’s natural position is as a right-winger.
The former Manchester City ace, who first made his name at Valencia as a right-winger, is someone capable of unbalancing opposition defences with his movement and can chip in with goals as seen of late.
Indeed, the ‘Shark’ has been in impressive form of late, scoring in the games against Mallorca, Real Betis, and Borussia Dortmund since returning from injury.
Ferran or Raphinha are the obvious choices. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)
Raphinha
The other obvious choice for Flick would be to shift Raphinha, who has adapted extremely well to his new role on the left flank this season, to his natural habitat on the right.
It is what Flick had done when Lamine was out earlier this season due to an ankle injury and the German could think of repeating the tactic while using someone else on the left.
However, there is the matter of the Brazilian enjoying the best-ever season of his career this term while playing on the left and tinkering with that might end up being counterproductive.
Pau Victor
One of Barcelona’s breakout stars during the pre-season campaign in the summer, Pau Victor has found minutes hard to come by since the season started.
But the 23-year-old has delivered more often than not when given a chance by Flick, who has utilised him in a multitude of positions in the attacking third, including on the right flank.
His two goals in La Liga this season have come at an average of one every 94 minutes while he also has an assist to his name.
Dani Olmo
Dani Olmo is capable of playing on the right. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Not a natural right-sided attacker but Dani Olmo is used to playing on that side, having been deployed in the position at various points in his career be it with his past clubs or the Spanish national team.
While Flick has yet to use the 26-year-old on the right flank, he has, at times, deployed him on the left. Much like with Raphinha, though, Olmo has settled in very well in his role as the No. 10 and moving him around might be far from ideal.
Dani Rodriguez
The next La Masia gem most likely to break through into the senior setup, Dani Rodriguez has shown that he is ready for the next step, scoring three goals and setting up one more in three games since returning from a lengthy injury layoff.
Dani is a winger who can play on both sides and is known for his aggressive one-on-one play. So far, Flick has not called up the 19-year-old to train with the senior team but he could be an exciting option in the absence of Lamine.