Malcom to get first chance to earn his place in Barcelona team
The Brazilian will start the game in Leon in the Copa this week
Malcom Filipe Silva de Oliveiram aged 21, is in a situation which, if it goes on, could seriously affect his career. The Brazilian winger was the star of Bordeaux a few months ago and he was one of the revealtions of France's Ligue 1 last season: 12 goals in 38 games at just 20 years of age. That's what a player needs when they are starting to grow and find their place in football. But his path took an unexpected turn in August. About to sign for Roma, with the tickets bought, FC Barcelona came in and trumped the Italians, signing him for 41 million euros before he could board the plane to Rome.
The next stage of the former Corinthians player's career began. He knew it would not be easy to find a spot in Ernesto Valverde's side, but he surely didn't imagine how hard it's proving. During preseason, he did well. He even scored in friendlies against Roma and Boca Juniors. They were performances which showed why Barça switched their attention to him after following his compatriot Willian all summer. But a diffifcult season then began and everything unravelled for the young forward.
From the stands to the bench, a constant cycle
Seven minutes against Real Valladolid and 20 against Leganes. Then an ankle injury which ruled him out until the end of September. Once back in full fitness, he's alternated between the stands and the bench. It's more than clear that Valverde doesn't have confidence in him. It's clear he's the person best placed to evaluate Malcom, too, given he sees him in training everyday. Maybe it's also clear, though, that the player needs to feel supported and to play minutes so that he can turn around an adverse situation, above all mentally.
The cycle he's immersed in will come to an end in Leon on Wednesday -- we will see if it will be decisive. There, Barça face Cultural in the Copa del Rey and Valverde will rotate. It will be Malcom's chance to feel like a footballer again and will allow Barça fans to see him on the pitch and discover his qualities -- beyond what they've been able to see in preseason and on YouTube.
Because for all those that weren't watching him at Nice and Nantes in Ligue 1 last year, he's an unknown quantity. We will see if little by little he can force himself into Valverde's plans.
