Barça taking risks with Jordi Alba by not fulfilling contract promise

Barça taking risks with Jordi Alba by not fulfilling contract promise

Luis Enrique ha dejado fuera al mejor lateral izquierdo español y el FC Barcelona no le renueva el contrato / | Germán Bona

The left-back's still not been offered the deal he was promised in 2016

Days, weeks, months... even years are passing. In November 2016, Raul Sanllehi promised Jordi Alba a new contract but it's not arrived. 

Barcelona have still not contacted Alba since then and in the meantime other players have signed new deals, with the left-back's terms up in 2020. 

Even though, given the expiry date on his contract, Alba's case should be one of the more urgent ones, the club, confident with his 150 million release clause, have still not taken the first step. 

Alba last signed a deal in 2015, for five years. Of the three years since, the last one was the most spectacular. Despite being a defender by name, he was key in attack. 

The appointment of Ernesto Valverde and the departure of Neymar combined to make him a key player for the team on the left flank. 

NO BACKUP 

The player from L’Hospitalet played almost every minute last season and it will be the same this year -- he's the only player in the squad without a natural backup. 

If he's injured, suspended or needs resting, there are three options: use one of the centre-backs, like Lenglet or Vermaelen, both left footed; use one of the right-backs, Sergi Roberto or Nelson Semedo; or use Barça B's Juan Miranda. 

Therefore, in the case of any long-term absence, Valverde would be struggling. It's clear the coach backs Alba, but that backing has not yet come with a contract renewal. 

It could get messy in the coming months if there's no news, keeping in mind that he's moving towards the last 18 months of his deal and there are not many good left-backs in the world. 

SPORT have already revealed that there has been interest from Manchester United and Chelsea in the past.

TOP FORM 

Jordi Alba has said on several occasions he wants to renew. He's even said it is his dream to retire at Camp Nou. At 29, he's in top form and the happiest he's been off the field, too, following the recent birth of his son, Piero. 

He started the season scoring and assisting, just like last year. Last season, he was the most creative full-back in Europe, setting up a number of goals for his club. 

There's a special feeling with Lionel Messi, especially. 

Being left out of the Spain squad (he's won 66 caps for his country) is obviously disappointing for him, although he says it's not down to a problem with Luis Enrique. It could, though, be a blessing for Barça, given he will get the rest he can't get with his club. 

It's in Barça's interest to show they have faith in him. In November, it will be two years since Sanllehi spoke about extending his deal. Two years in which there has been no movement. 

In this context, Barça should make a move, but everything suggests that other players will be signing deals in the club's offices first. 

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