Koeman praises Gavi with 17-year-old in line for another Barcelona start

Ronald Koeman didn't want to confirm if Gavi will start against Levante this weekend but made it clear that his squad is stretched for the LaLiga match. 

Pedri is injured and Frenkie de Jong is suspended, meaning that the 17-year-old is in line to make his second start in a week in the Spanish top flight. 

Koeman only had words of praise for Gavi, who impressed in the goalless draw at Cadiz on Thursday as he made his first senior start. 

"There are really good young players with big futures," Koeman said in a press conference on Saturday.

"Gavi could play tomorrow. It's a possibility because we only have 17 outfield players available. In certain positions, like at centre-back, there's an excess of players, but in other positions we have hardly anything. We are limited in attack. 

"Gavi's a young player that in very little time has shown he has a place (in the first team squad)." 

So far this season, Gavi has played 151 minutes of football for the first team. He came on against Getafe, Bayern Munich and Granada before starting against Cadiz.