Barça coach Koeman sends message to out of favour Riqui Puig

Barça coach Koeman sends message to out of favour Riqui Puig

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The young midfielder is not in the Dutchman's plans and has been told he can leave on loan

Without mentioning him, Ronald Koeman sent another message to Riqui Puig on Friday after Carles Aleña left the club for Getafe on loan earlier this week. 

Koeman said there are other players that will not feature much between now and the end of the season and said they had been told they would be best served going out on loan in January. 

"[Sporting director Ramon Planes] has told the players who we don't think will get many minutes that they would be best looking for an exit but ultimately it will be their decision," the Dutch coach said in a press conference. 

"Without naming names, it would be better for some of them to go out and get experience and come back. I have said since preseason: young players must play. They cannot spend a whole season not playing, that's not good for anyone."   

However, while he's still at the club, Puig will be in the squad for Saturday's trip to Granada and 17-year-old midfielder Ilaix Moriba could also make the trip.

"We know Aleña has gone on loan to Getafe so we are one player short," Koeman added. "Ilaix is a player that was with us in the preseason, has played for Barça B, has been training with us again recently.

"It's a possibility that Ilaix is in the squad for tomorrow's game at Granada."

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