Barcelona starlet has won over Flick despite playing in makeshift position in pre-season
The ongoing pre-season was always going to be a major test for the younglings at FC Barcelona as they hoped to convince new manager Hansi Flick and earn a place for themselves in the senior setup.
Safe to say that most of the youngsters who have been given an opportunity by the manager have made it count.
The likes of Marc Bernal, Marc Casado, and Pablo Torre all appear set to become a part of the first-team squad when the season starts in less than two weeks.
Another player who is likely to join them, as things stand, is Alex Valle.
Excelling in an unnatural position
Indeed, according to SPORT, Alex Valle has managed to win over Hansi Flick despite playing in a makeshift role as a right-back in pre-season.
Valle, a left-back by trade, spent the last season on loan at UD Levante and made a solid impression – so much so that the Blaugrana had decided not to sign a new player for the position following Marcos Alonso’s exit.
However, it was up to the 20-year-old to convince Flick and his staff that he is deserving of a place in the senior setup, which the youngster has seemingly achieved, despite not playing in his preferred position.
Without Jules Kounde, Hector Fort and Julian Araujo started the pre-season as the most realistic options at right-back, while Alejandro Balde, Gerard Martin and Alex Valle himself were the choices on the left side.
However, Flick pulled off a surprise by opting to field Julian Araujo as a right-winger against Manchester City and did not give him any minutes against Real Madrid.
Instead, Alex Valle played the entire second half against City as a right-back and more than an hour in the position in the Clasico, during which he even assisted a goal.
Winning over Flick
Valle’s presence at right-back is not a whim, but the result of having tried out several players in the same position. In addition to him, Mika Faye and Gerard Martin also trained on the right wing, but it was Valle who most convinced Flick.
The report states that the manager was won over by the 20-year-old La Masia talent’s personality, self-confidence, and adaptability while he also showed great tactical understanding of what the coach wanted of him in the position.
Valle had never before played as a right-back in his career, but he did not miss the opportunity to show Flick that he can count on him for whatever he needs.
Valle stands out, beyond his virtues as a player, for being mentally strong and competitive to the maximum, earning him comparisons to an ex-Barcelona prospect Marc Cucurella. With his release clause dropping to €3 million, the Catalans must act swiftly to secure his future.