Barcelona forward Munir El Haddadi started against Getafe in the Spanish La Liga this weekend, but found himself hauled off after 61 minutes following yet another disappointing performance. The 20-year-old has been given the majority of his league appearances from the substitutes’ bench, but hasn’t been able to shine for the Catalans this season.
Against Getafe, El Haddadi failed to register a shot on target, while making just one dribble and goalscoring chance. He was guilty of relinquishing possession this weekend, and certainly didn’t impress his manager enough to warrant staying on the pitch. Luis Enrique put him out of his misery after an hour, and now the youngster will be considering future.
Failing to score from 10 games in all competitions for Barcelona, Munir El Haddadi could find himself out of the match day squad entirely if manager Luis Enrique gives up risking him in games. The Spanish international has stiff competition in the side in attack, and he won’t last long in the first-team if his barren spell continues, so he’s currently at the precipice.
Now aged 20, Munir El Haddadi cannot allow his development to go stale. If game time starts to allude him at Barcelona, he may have to seek action elsewhere in the form of a loan. The academy starlet won’t want to be playing reserve team football as he’s certainly outgrown the level of competition. Last season, he was forced to drop down into the B side, but did still make 16 appearances in total for the first-team.
Nevertheless, his future could be up sooner than expected if he can’t continue developing for Barcelona, so this is a big season for the young forward. Despite not having scored for a reported 431 days for the Catalans, Enrique is standing by the forward. “It doesn’t worry me. The minutes they’re getting is allowing them to grow, and they have been participating in our goals,” he said.
“Playing with or without pressure are very different things,” he reasoned. “It’s not the same when you play because you have to play. But I am happy with them, although they can both improve.” The Barcelona manager cannot persist with failed players in his pursuit for silverware this season, however, so Munir will have to start vindicating his selection soon.
With Lionel Messi out of action for Barcelona, Munir has the best chance to prove his worth, but he hasn’t taken his chance with both hands, and can’t seem to turn around his poor form.