Memphis Depay warms up prior to the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis at Camp Nou on December 04, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Barcelona duo nearing return from injury
Memphis Depay celebrates after scoring during a La Liga match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio de la Ceramica in November. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde Colomer/Getty Images)
The Barcelona pair could be available for the match against Napoli
With the additions during the January transfer window, Barcelona has been able to make do with the number of players on their roster. No small feat considering the number of players out with injury.
But Xavi Hernandez could soon be getting a pair of injured players back as both Memphis Depay and Clement Lenglet took part in Monday’s training session.
According to Diario AS’ Javier Miguel, they could be ready in time for the second leg of their Europa League tie at Napoli on Thursday. If not, they will certainly be ready for the next LaLiga match against Athletic Bilbao.
After a strong start to the season, Depay has been out injured since December. He did manage a cameo in the Spanish Super Cup match against Real Madrid but suffered another injury and hasn’t featured since.
Two weeks ago, Barcelona announced Lenglet had picked up an injury in his left hamstring but gave no timetable for his return.
Of the two, Lenglet would provide the most significant boost.
Eric Garcia was subbed off as a precaution in the Catalans’ 4-1 win against Valencia over the weekend. Despite playing the entire match and being given the medical green light, Ronald Araujo also played with some discomfort.
Given the inconsistent form of Oscar Mingueza, Lenglet’s return would ease Xavi’s headache when it comes to his defense. It could allow him to tinker with his lineup and perhaps play a back three when he’s missing either of his fullbacks as will be the case against Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona’s attack is stacked with options at the moment. So much so that Martin Braithwaite has also featured very little since returning from an injury of his own. Memphis’ return would give Xavi another option up front, but it remains to be seen how important a player Memphis would be in the new set up.
His future at the club has now become uncertain that he’s being linked with a move to Italy after only half a season in Barcelona.
In any case, having both of these players should help Xavi and his team. If nothing else, they’ll be players he can insert when he wants to rotate his side and give other players a rest.
