Barcelona have officially promoted Carles Alena to the first team, handing him the no.21 shirt in the process.
Alena has made 10 appearances for the first team so far since making his debut in the 2016/17 season, with five coming in the league and five in the Copa del Rey.
The 20-year-old also scored his first Camp Nou goal in Barca’s 2-0 win over Villarreal on Sunday – his second for the senior side overall – but was wearing the no.26 shirt at the time.
However, to be registered to play in La Liga, league rules state that players must have a squad number from one to 25.
Alena’s no.21 jersey has been vacant since Andre Gomes left to join Everton on loan in the summer, with Barcelona saying their decision is based on the long-term absence of Rafinha, who is expected to be out of action until 30th June 2019, with a cruciate ligament injury.
It follows a report in the Times suggesting Everton are hopeful Gomes wishes to convert his loan deal to a permanent contract. The Toffees, it is claimed, believe there is a chance his reluctance to return to Barcelona will enable them to sign the midfielder, who has started six Premier League games for them this season, for an affordable fee.
A statement on the club’s official website read: “FC Barcelona have officially registered Carles Aleñá with La Liga as a member of the first team squad, wearing number 21 as a replacement for Rafinha, who is out for some time through injury.
OFFICIAL: Carles Aleñá has registered with La Liga as a member of the Barcelona
first team squad as a replacement for Rafinha.He has been given the No.21 shirt. pic.twitter.com/xr4YXUlBpw
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) December 4, 2018
“The Masia product was already part of the first team set-up despite officially being registered as one of Barça B in order to ensure the playing time he needed after recovering from an injury of his own. But from now 20-year old will be part of the team with every right.”
The midfielder has become the eighth player to wear the no.21 for Barcelona, with the likes of Lillian Thuram, Luis Enrique and Aleksandr Hleb wearing it in the past.
Carles Aleñá is the eighth player to wear the No.21 shirt for Barcelona:
2️⃣1️⃣. Óscar GarcÃa
2️⃣1️⃣. Luis Enrique
2️⃣1️⃣. Lilian Thuram
2️⃣1️⃣. Aleksandr Hleb
2️⃣1️⃣. Dmytro Chygrynskiy
2️⃣1️⃣. Adriano
2️⃣1️⃣. André Gomes
2️⃣1️⃣. Carles AleñáThe start of a new chapter.
pic.twitter.com/YTt09X8ExB
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 4, 2018
Alena, however, will continue to wear his old No.26 shirt in the Champions League with the Blaugrana already registering his name against that squad number for Uefa competitions this season.
The midfielder has been named in a much-changed starting lineup for Ernesto Valverde’s side as they take on Tottenham Hotspur at the Nou Camp tonight.
The post Andre Gomes’ Barcelona squad number handed to promoted La Masia graduate appeared first on Squawka News.
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