5 Barcelona players with the least minutes played in the 2021-22 season

3. Alejandro Balde - 116

Alejandro Balde is a primary backup to Jordi Alba

Alejandro Balde was an impressive kid at RCD Espanyol. At the age of eight, Balde joined Barcelona's youth system in 2021 and kept growing as an individual. His pre-season campaign ahead of the 2021-22 campaign impressed the club's scouts.

A regular figure in the Barcelona B team, Balde assisted the senior team as a primary backup to Jordi Alba. At the age of 18, the full-back shuffles between the junior and senior sides. The Barcelona-born defender was mostly kept as a backup option on the bench.

However, he did come on as a substitute in Barcelona's thumping 0-3 loss against Bayern Munich in the Champions League in September. Since then, Balde has featured for Barcelona as a cameo on numerous occasions.

He is yet to play a full game for the club yet. With age on his side, it is certain that Balde has a bright and lengthy future at Camp Nou.

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2. Samuel Umtiti - 90

Pairing up with Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti formed a formidable pair for two seasons

Samuel Umtiti has undoubtedly fallen down the pecking order in recent times. When signed from Lyon in 2016, he remained an integral part of Barcelona's defensive unit for the next two years.

Pairing up with Gerard Pique, Umtiti formed a formidable pair that guarded Barcelona's defense on crucial occasions. However, injury issues plagued the defender starting in 2018. Lack of consistent playing minutes and arising competition from youngsters denied the Frenchman from regaining his permanent spot.

As of now, Xavi hasn't required much of the 28-year-old's service this season. Featuring against Osasuna on 12th December 2021 were the only 90 minutes that he got to play. Umtiti lost his place to newcomer Eric Garcia this season.

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1. Emerson Royal - 90

Emerson moved to Tottenham Hotspur on deadline day of the 2022 transfer window

The Emerson Royal-Barcelona saga has been somewhat dramatic. The Catalan club had been wanting to acquire the Brazilian full-back since 2019. A joint financial operation involving Real Betis and Barcelona saw Emerson initially join the former club.

In 2021, Blaugrana exercised their options to bring the defender back and he was welcomed to the club by the president himself. The team management stressed the importance of having Royal by their side.

However, after playing in three La Liga games, he moved to Tottenham Hotspur on deadline day of the 2022 transfer window. The move came as a shock for all.