One key Barcelona player is expected to join group training from January 1 | OneFootball

FC Barcelona started the season very well under Hansi Flick’s managerial reign but things have gone downhill since November. The German coach is struggling to inspire his team to recover from the incredible form that they showed in October.

A key factor behind this slump is the absence of Lamine Yamal, who has missed two separate spells due to a recurring injury. Despite being only 17 years old, Yamal has already established himself as one of the standout performers for the team.

Barcelona with and without Lamine feels like night and day. He offers something that not many other players in the current squad can offer and he also helps bring the best out of players like Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.

Thus, it comes as quite a major boost, as per Mundo Deportivo, that Lamine Yamal is set to return to group training from January 1. This should keep him in good stead to recover in time for the Super Cup game against Athletic Bilbao.

In all likelihood, Lamine would and should be exempted from the trip to Barbastro on Saturday 4 January to play the Round of 32 Copa del Rey clash. Despite it being a single-legged tie, the 17-year-old should be given complete rest.

This would give the Spaniard the chance to train well with the group and hopefully be ready to start against Athletic Bilbao. Should they manage to beat the Basque side, a potential El Clasico final is on the horizon, if Real Madrid get past Mallorca.

Barcelona fans will be buoyed by the fact that Lamine is close to returning to action. He is loved and endeared by everyone associated with the club and rightly so and let’s hope that his ankle stays fine for the months to come.