FC Barcelona | Franck Kessie, the ‘victim’ of the comebacks of Pedri and De Jong

Franck Kessie, who took advantage of the losses from the canary and the Dutchman to gain prominence, has played just over three quarters of an hour (51′) in the last four games

Against Osasuna, the Ivorian was left without participating in a Barça match for the first time since the beginning of 2023

“It’s an example. He has known how to be patient, wait for his opportunity without a single bad face and give up when it has come.. He is in an excellent moment of form”. In mid-February, before Cádiz’s visit to the Spotify Camp Nou, Xavi Hernandez did not skimp on praise when asked about the performance Frank Kessie. The midfielder from Madrid, who had played little part before the World Cup in Qatar, took advantage of the losses in the midfield to show that he could be important at FC Barcelona.

Sin Frankie Young in PedriXavi Hernández had to pull from the bottom of the closet and the former Milan footballer responded to his confidence with good performances. With the goal that decided the league classic and delivered half a domestic title to the Blaugrana team as the high point of his first season in Barcelona, ​​Kessie He failed to consolidate himself in the starting eleven, but he did play regularly and bring forcefulness to the team. The African was very important at a crucial moment of the season, in which the Catalans distanced themselves from Madrid in the standings.

When Xavi got the Dutchman and the Canarian back before the 1-0 win against Atlético de Madrid, however, Franck’s leading role it was dissolved in one fell swoop. Since the day of Sant Jordi, his minutes have plummeted: He has played just over three quarters of an hour (51′) in four games. In the first three (against Atlético, Rayo and Betis) he entered in the last bars, but this Tuesday, against Osasuna, he did not move from the bench. The need to score the winning goal and the fact of facing a team with one player less made the coach opt for more offensive profiles such as Ansu Fati, Dembélé, Ferran Torres or Jordi Alba.

First absence of the year

Against Osasuna, in fact, Kessie he was left without participating in a Barça match for the first time since the beginning of 2023. He was the only footballer on the squad who could boast of not having missed any commitment; he shared the role of ‘incombustible’ with Raphinha until the Brazilian missed the visit to Martínez Valero due to suspension. In just 10 days, his importance in the team has decreased considerably.

It is highly probable that, when Barça sings the alirón and is definitively proclaimed champion of the League, Xavi will make more rotations and give more opportunities to players like Kessie. With everything decided, the time will come to think about the next course and determine which players are part of the ‘exit operation’ necessary to lower the salary mass, make cash and be able to make incorporations. The Ivorian is not assured of his continuity: he arrived last summer with the freedom letter and the club, although it hurts him because he is very satisfied with his professionalism, does not consider him non-transferable.