Valentin Barco will be relieved to hear what Xabi Alonso said in Chelsea press conference

PROVE ME WRONG: No midfielder is more perfect for Caicedo, than Barco 🔟

Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal for Barco.

He only entered the field of play because Caicedo had come on, and then came off again. Malo Gusto has been preferred in midfield to Barco, with Romeo Lavia and Reece James ahead of the Argentina star.

Bought for £34m from Strasbourg, Barco must be worried about his game time. Perhaps he even regrets not requesting a loan move away from Chelsea, with a new midfielder a priority for the transfer team.

Barco needs reassurances that he is in Alonso’s plans. He needs to be given insight into the manager’s thinking, and where the manager sees his route into the starting XI. Barco might start against Leeds.

Basically, Barco needs Alonso’s arm around his shoulder and to be told everything is going to be alright. Well, he got that on Tuesday, when Alonso was asked about Barco in his pre-Leeds press conference.

“He’s a competitor. He has this heart, an Argentinian heart. He is a fighter; he’s very good with the ball, and he’s very open to adapting quickly. But he’s intelligent too,” Alonso said when asked for his opinion.

“When you have this mentality and this intelligence, it’s easier to have a better impact. He’s doing that. We’re just three games into the Premier League, one in the Cup. It’s still early days for everything.

“For each player, the team. Many things will develop. Many things are happening and sure, there will be chances for everyone. He knows he’s taken a big step from Strasbourg, but he’s ready for the challenge.”

Why has Barco not been given a chance in the Premier League?

Nice praise from Alonso that will have appeased Barco, but actions speak louder than words. Why is Barco not being given a chance in the Premier League, when the Blues currently lack Henderson and Caicedo?

On the face of it, there is no better chance to get game time in the Premier League. Two of Chelsea’s four midfielders are injured, not including James. John Terry thinks James is better at right-back anyway.

Let’s settle this, Chelsea are better off with Reece James at right-back… 🤔

Do you prefer James in midfield or at right-back – and why?

Barco was excellent against Luton, but he may feel Alonso doesn’t trust him at the top level yet. His words will come as comfort, but until Barco is given in the Premier League, he won’t feel any belief from Alonso.

Alonso suggests that it is early days, and Barco has just made a major move in his life. Perhaps, should the same situation arise six months down the line, Barco would be given a go in the middle of the park.

But what will frustrate Barco is that it is unlikely to have such an open pathway into the starting XI as the one currently presenting itself. If he starts tonight and impresses, Alonso might just trust him enough.