What’s the story?
Barcelona star Jordi Alba’s future has been subject to intense speculation and now latest reports from AS claim that he has contacted his Spain and former Barcelona team-mates, Fabregas and Pedro in order to enquire about Premier League leaders Chelsea.
The 28-year-old full-back has fallen down the pecking order especially after a change in Luis Enrique’s formation. The pacy Spaniard has also been linked with a move to Manchester United and it looks like only a matter of time before the Barcelona star decides to join the Premier League.
In case you didn’t know...
Jordi Alba has been a key member of the Barcelona squad for the last 4 years, but recently, the pacy full-back has been left out of crucial games such as Barcelona’s La Liga fixture against Atletico Madrid and the incredible comeback win against PSG.
There have been claims in the Spanish media that part of the decision to change the system has been a concern over Alba's form, and the former Valencia man has found himself linked with a move away from the Spanish champions in recent weeks.
The Spaniard even revealed that he felt frustrated with the lack of confidence in him at Barcelona:
"I feel the total confidence of the boss here [in the Spain camp], which for me is a compliment and something that fills me with confidence. It's something I'm not having at Barcelona and that I'd maybe like to have," Alba told Movistar+.
Also read: Alba admits frustration with Barcelona boss Luis Enrique
The heart of the matter
With Luis Enrique set to leave at the end of the season, Alba is reportedly waiting to discover who the new Barcelona manager is before making his decision. The left-back has a contract until 2020 and would command a fee of around £35 million.
Chelsea have a well-settled squad but with Europan commitments next season, Jordi Alba will prove to be a valuable addition to the Premier League leaders squad. However, Chelsea might face competition from Manchester United and Manchester City, both of whom are also interested in securing the services of the talented 28-year-old.
What’s next?
According to the reports, Jordi Alba’s agents in both Spain and UK have been trying to convince him to stay at Barcelona and not jump ship. With Luis Enrique set to depart in the summer, a lot of things could change and the Spaniard has been urged to take his decision only after Barcelona appoint a new manager.
Author’s take
At 28, Jordi Alba is at the peak of his career. If the new Barcelona manager does not show enough faith in him, the Spaniard should pack his bags and move to the Premier League where he will undoubtedly be one of the star players.
Also read: Luis Enrique blames himself for the result against Juventus
