Barcelona News: In what has proven to be a challenging season for Riqui Puig, he has once again been relegated to the Barcelona bench. Younger players such as Pedri, Gavi, and Nico Gonzalez have made significant progress in their respective careers.

He was originally considered to be the crown gem of La Masia. But he has struggled to make the transition from junior football to senior football as predicted. Ernesto Valverde gave the midfielder his debut in 2018. Although he was never a regular in the Spaniard’s starting lineup.

Puig did get some playing time under Quique Setien. But under Ronald Koeman, things were back to normal. In the short term, it was expected that Xavi’s appointment would help him turn things around. But this has not been the case.

Riqui Puig has suffered from the lack of playing time

This season, the highly regarded midfielder has made a total of 12 appearances for Barça in all competitions. In early January, he was last seen in action in a Copa del Rey match against Linares. Since then, the Blaugrana have competed in nine matches across all competitions. But he has not appeared in any of those games at all.

It serves as a barometer for where he now sits concerning the manager’s long-term objectives. Also according to a source from La Vanguardia, after previously refusing to leave the club on loan, the Spaniard is now prepared to go temporarily in the summer transfer window.

As previously revealed, Puig’s representatives have encouraged him to seek a loan transfer. Since he has not played as much as they would have anticipated this season.

Puig has had similar loan proposals in the past. But he has always turned them down politely. The 22-year-old had seen players such as Sergi Samper, Carles Alena, and Marc Cucurella leave Barça on loan for short periods only to never return to play first-team football for the club. So, he did not want to follow in their footsteps.

However, with his position seeming to be deteriorating, the La Masia graduate seems to have decided to try himself outside of the Catalan club for the next season.

At La Masia, Riqui Puig’s work with the ball was seen as very valuable. Professional football, on the other hand, has distinct defensive and offensive qualities that he is not differentiated in at all. One of the academy’s instructors told La Vanguardia that “maybe it is due to a lack of confidence and playing time.”

Barcelona News: It is best for Riqui Puig to find some playing time elsewhere

While on loan from Barcelona to a team where he can play regularly, the young midfielder might earn valuable playing time and confidence. Both of which have been missing for him.

If Puig does decide to part ways with Barcelona and seek a new challenge, it is not obvious where he will go to pursue it. He has previously been connected with Premier League teams as well as Serie A sides. But he may want to remain in La Liga. There, he is certain to have plenty of suitors for his services.

When it comes to getting his stalled career back on track, Reshad Rahman, writing for The Sportsman, believes Puig should look for a temporary transfer away from the Camp Nou in the next season.

Puig has been with the club since he was 14 years old. His choice to leave will be a difficult one for the midfielder. However, it seems that if he wants to be a regular contributor next season, he may be left with little option.