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Barcelona news: Malcom ‘frustrated’ at Ernesto Valverde and could LEAVE in January
BARCELONA winger Malcom is frustrated at his lack of game time at the Nou Camp and could leave the club on loan in January.
That is according to ESPN FC pundit and European football expert Gabriele Marcotti.
Malcom only joined Barcelona from Ligue 1 side Bordeaux in the summer transfer window.
The Brazilian looked set to move to Roma but a last-minute swoop from Barca saw him arrive at the La Liga giants.
However he has made only two appearances so far, both as a second-half substitutes in the league matches against Valladolid and Leganes.
You can understand his frustration. I don’t think that’s going to change anytime soon
Inter Milan have been linked with a possible loan move for Malcom in the upcoming winter transfer window.
Marcotti says the 21-year-old is a victim of manager Ernesto Valverde’s change in formation this season, which has seen Barca often play without wingers.
So he says it is understandable Malcom is not happy with life at the Nou Camp so far.
“He’s really been penalised by this sort of 4-4-2 that Valverde has turned to so often,” Marcotti said.
“In terms of being a pacy wide-man he’s behind the pecking order to Ousmane Dembele who of course is a more expensive, probably more talented, pacy wide-man than he is.
“So you can understand his frustration.
“I don’t think that’s going to change anytime soon.
“There’s been talk of a loan in January, I think there will be no shortage of takers.
“Barcelona do like him, they do see him as a long-term project.
“But by the same token his morale is way down right now.
“Remember, he turned his back on Roma, did a u-turn, to join Barca.”
Barcelona are back in La Liga action this Saturday when they host Sevilla (7.45pm, UK time).