At Barça, there will not be room for every midfielder once the injury list clears

At Barça, not every midfielder will be able to find a place once the department is at full strength. The arrival of Rodrigo Hernández as a marquee signing, after a period during which Frenkie de Jong was injured, has strengthened an already well-stocked midfield and multiplied the resources available to Hansi Flick for a relentless season exposed to risks linked to international duty.

The German coach is currently relying on Rodri and Pedri as his regular partnership in build-up play, with Marc Bernal and Gavi providing support. Bernal and Gavi started on the opening matchday in Elche, before a right-knee contusion sidelined the Andalusian for the following three matches. Gavi did not play again until 9 September against Feyenoord, when he featured for seven minutes, and then played only 29 minutes against Racing Santander.

That limited return shows how difficult it is to regain a place in a Barça side performing strongly at the start of the season. It also highlights the challenge awaiting De Jong when he has recovered and is able to return to competition, in an overcrowded midfield.

Pedri is always used for at least an hour. Fourth in Barça’s 2026-27 minutes ranking with 564 minutes, he has started the last seven matches without completing any of them. That management is part of Flick’s plan to manage him while maintaining a demanding workload.

Rodri, who was seen in Sevilla-Barça, has started alongside Pedri in the last five matches and is becoming increasingly central in the eyes of the Barcelona coach. With 439 minutes, he already ranks 10th among the most-used players after a gradual integration caused by his late arrival. He was not substituted in the difficult away matches at Levante (2-4) and Sevilla (1-3).

Gavi was injured against Elche on the opening Liga matchday while he was in the starting line-up. Marc Bernal, 14th with 319 minutes and involved in all eight matches, started the first three fixtures against Elche, Athletic and Rayo before losing his place to Rodri. He has nevertheless already been on the pitch on several occasions against Feyenoord, Levante and Sevilla.

The schedule will require rotation. But in the biggest matches, if every midfielder is fit, there will not be enough places for all of them.