3 fringe players who could be key for Barcelona this season

#2 Carlos Alena

Italy U19 v Spain U19 - International Friendly

The 20-year-old has long been touted as the future of Catalan football, due to his impressive displays for the Barcelona B and Spain youth teams.

However, owing to the abundance of talent in Barcelona's midfield, his opportunities for promotion were largely stunted, but he continued to dazzle in Barcelona's B team, including with this amazing solo goal scored against AS Roma in the UEFA Youth League of 2015.

He was called up to the senior team in February of 2016 but did not feature, making his debut nine months later in a 1-1 draw away to Hercules in the Copa Del Rey, where he scored the equalizer.

The departure of Andres Iniesta to Vissel Kobe in Japan at the end of last season seemingly paved the way for Alena to become the first La Masia product since Sergi Roberto to fully cement a place in the first team, as Ernesto Valverde was willing to work with him extensively during pre-season. However an injury has cruelly put paid to those plans, and Alena has been ruled out till September with a ruptured tendon in his right hamstring.

The arrivals of new midfield signings such as Arthur from Gremio and Arturo Vidal from Bayern Munich might make Alena's breakthrough a bit more difficult. However, on account of his extensive knowledge of the club's history and operations (having been with Barcelona since 2005), and the belief by Valverde in his abilities, this season could prove to be pivotal in the development of Carlos Alena.