'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Unbeaten in the Spanish League, Chelsea soon to come in the UEFA Champions League, and a Copa del Rey final against Sevilla on the way, Ernesto Valverde's Barcelona is undoubtedly one of the strongest teams on the European continent.
They are practically set to win the Spanish league title and are also strong favourites for the Champions League and the Copa del Rey titles, they are headed for a possible treble.
In the summer of 2017, the former Bilbao man was put in charge of a 'struggling' team after a turbulent last season under Luis Enrique. He has undoubtedly done a brilliant job so far.
Additionally, the gaffer has reintroduced several players including the likes of Jordi Alba, Ivan Rakitic and Andre Gomes, all of whom were outcasts under Lucho. They massively under performed under the former manager.
However, things don't seem to be working too well for a number of players as their time on the pitch has been severely limited this term. Let's take a look at five players who are likely to be loaned out in search of starting berths.
#5 Denis Suarez
Denis Suarez's inability to step up in big games and crunch situations gives birth to a complicated situation for the young midfielder. Originally from the Barcelona youth system, Denis returned to Barcelona after a successful season with Villarreal.
Still, in his early years, Suarez's development is being impaired by the overcrowding in Barcelona's midfield. His dreams to be successful at the Nou Camp and Valverde's faith in the midfielder rule out possibilities of a transfer to a large extent.
However, a loan deal could be possible in the interest of both club and player. Suarez has been left out of the squad on countless occasions by Ernesto Valverde. Injured in the Catalan Super Cup after making it into the first team for the first time since January, Suarez's progress in Valverde's pecking order has slowed down even further.
Denis Suarez could follow fellow midfielders Rafinha and Arda Turan out on loan in search of much needed game time. Several clubs including the likes of Manchester City have shown interest in the Barcelona number 6.
#4 Aleix Vidal
Barcelona fans were furious when former manager Luis Enrique chose to field Sergi Roberto, a natural midfielder in the right-back position over Aleix Vidal whom the club bought primarily to play in that position.
An injury last season hampered Vidal's dreams of making it as a regular in the first team. However, when the Catalan born speedster was given chances under Valverde, he failed to capitalise.
Criticised for his lack of creativity and poor timing, Vidal has a reputation for jumping ship every few years. Having featured for nine different clubs already, Vidal's loyalty comes into question as to how patient the 28 year old is with regards cementing a place in Ernesto Valverde's plans.
A loan or transfer deal could be reached between the player and the club in the upcoming summer transfer window as Barcelona trim it's large roster and recoup some of the vast amount of cash they spent in the past two transfer windows.
#3 Paco Alcacer
Though a lethal finisher in front of goal and a decent header of the ball, Alcacer's Barcelona career has been quite the opposite. Following in the footsteps of his compatriot and close friend Denis Suarez, the Spanish attacker hasn't really shined an awful lot for the Blaugrana.
With reports coming in that Barcelona is bringing in another forward next window, most likely Antoine Griezmann, Alcacer's Barcelona career is predictably in its final stages.
Alcacer's only real display of character was in the closing months of 2017 when he made up for Ousmane Dembele's injury and Luis Suarez's goal-scoring drought. Unfourtunately, Alcacer was injured in December, right before he was set to make a big appearance for the club in the Clasico.
Paco hasn't really made it into the first team since coming back from that injury and an isolated performance against Espanyol was his last chance to prove his worth, one he certainly missed.
Wearing the captain's armband for Barcelona in the Catalan Super Cup could be Alcacer's most recognizable moment during his time at the Nou Camp. Still just 24 years old, Alcacer is a promising young talent who has suitors in Spain and elsewhere, a loan move is highly likely for the forward in the near future.
#2 Carles Alena
A highly-rated midfielder from Barcelona's youth system, Alena finds himself in a crunch situation, surrounded by a flurry of midfielders at the Camp Nou. Alena made promising starts to his Barcelona career under Ernesto Valverde in the Americas during the pre-season and continued his run of form in the early stages of the Copa del Rey.
A vital player for the B team, Alena is highly likely to be promoted to the first team in the near future. However, with the likes of Coutinho, Rakitic, Iniesta, Gomes, Paulinho and Sergi Roberto already over-crowding Alena's position of preference, a loan deal to aid the player's growth is a possible option.
The young 20-year-old midfielder could be another addition to the long list of Barcelona's would-bes if he isn't provided with a stable stepping stone of development, and a loan move to a neighbouring Spanish side in the first division could be an interesting move, in favour of both the player and the club.
Only time would tell what the future holds in store for this promising young midfielder from Mataro.
#1 Jose Arnaiz
Another promising young talent who could be massively affected by Griezmann's potential arrival this summer, the Spanish forward currently plays for the Barcelona reserves. The lethal goalscorer has made just 5 appearances for the Barcelona first team this season, four of which were in the Spanish Cup.
Arnaiz's eye for goal was instrumental in Barcelona's advancements in the Cup, the Spaniard scored three goals in the four matches he played. Surprisingly, all of Arnaiz's three goals came off in his first three shots for the Azulgranas.
Courted by top European clubs, Arnaiz will most likely be loaned out of the Nou Camp this summer. Jose has featured just twice for Barcelona B since the start of the calendar year and hasn't featured for the first team since his cameo in the Cup clash against Celta Vigo back in January.
