One too many non-EU spots at Barcelona for Spanish Super Cup

Right now, FC Barcelona have six non-EU players in their first team squad. While Yerry Mina and Marlon won't be used by Ernesto Valverde next season, that still leaves the club one over their allotted three non-EU spots for the Spanish Super Cup clash with Sevilla.

The four are Philippe Coutinho, who was already at the club, as well as new signings Arthur, Malcom and Arturo Vidal.

The Liga de Futbol Profesional (LFP) rule indicates that you can only apply for three non-EU licenses for the upcoming season. This means the club are working against the clock in order for Coutinho to receive a Portuguese passport before the Spanish Super Cup and, more importantly, before LaLiga starts on the 18th August. If they do, the Brazilian would free up a non-EU space.

The legislation to qualify for a Portuguese citizenship states that one of the couple already owns a Portuguese passport and that they must have been married for at least three years. In the middle of July, Coutinho presented all the needed documentation to the Consulate and the process is at an advanced stage. The system is simple but they're running out of time.

Could one be discarded for the super cup?

That suggests, should nothing change regarding Coutinho's status, Ernesto Valverde would need to leave out one of his new summer signings. Until Arturo Vidal signed last Monday, the club didn't even consider this an option and now must work doubly hard to make sure Coutinho receives his Portuguese passport as soon as possible.

If Coutinho is unsuccessful before Sunday's match, Valverde would probably discard the Chilean international for two reasons. First, he was the only member of the three not to take part in the club's US Tour. And second, Vidal has recently returned from a knee injury and might not be fully fit for the clash against Sevilla in Tangier.