The lowest moments of Clement Lenglet's professional career

Clement Lenglet's not having the best time. The French defender's experiencing some of his lowest moments as a professional footballer. He is practically invisible for Xavi, who prefers Pique, Eric Garcia and Ronald Araujo ahead of him. At 26, he's in the peak of his career and runs the risk of stalling his career if this inactivity continues.

The numbers speak for themselves. In all of 2022, he's played 92 minutes across five games. If we look at the entire season, he's started seven games -- four under Xavi. It's proof that Xavi prefers other options and doesn't consider it necessary to have a left-footed centre-back in the side.

Lenglet would not have expected to have such a minor role under Xavi. The Frenchman started his career with Nanted in Ligue 2 and, aged, 19, played regularly: 26 games in 2014-15, 36 in 2015-16 and 39 in 2016-17 (half the season with Sevilla after a January move. He played 54 in how only full season with Sevilla in 2017-18 and then 45, 40 and 48 in his first three seasons with Barça.

But since this season, everything has changed for a player who has always been very professional. Obviously, he is not happy with his role and at 26 wants to play regularly. He knows that will be tough under Xavi. Especially with Andreas Christensen arriving in the summer and possibly Cesar Azpilicueta. If he wants to make a late run for France's World Cup squad, he will have to leave.