Barça want Nico to play more or will consider ending Valencia loan

Nico Gonzalez began preseason at Barcelona with some concerns. He knew he was not going to play regularly and decided to speak with Xavi Hernandez to ask to leave on loan. He had offers from abroad but both the player and his agent, Jorge Mendes, prioritised the offers from Valencia, knowing he had option to get minutes with Gattuso on the bench.

A few months on, it's beginning to seem that the wrong decision may have been taken because Nico is not starting every week and the team is doing well without him. Mendes was in Barcelona last week and spoke about Nico. Not to return to Barça, but to comment on the concerns about his situation at Mestalla at the moment.

All parties have decided to wait and see how things are in January, but if nothing changes, Barça could recall him from Valencia and loan him to another European team. There are options and on the table but it would be the player who decides.

For Nico and Barça it is essential that he develops this season to return to Camp Nou next summer. Losing a year would not be good news, so he needs to turn the situation around or think about a change of scenery. As for Valencia, for now, silence.