Fermín’s Concerning Situation: A Dwindling Role Under Xavi

Not everyone can play, a point Xavi Hernández emphasizes when discussing players with limited minutes. While the coach values all squad members, Fermín López’s situation has become particularly noteworthy. His impact has plummeted, reaching a low point in Wednesday’s match against Napoli (1-1), where he didn’t even see any playing time.

Fermín was once a pivotal figure for Xavi, gaining recognition during a specific stretch of the season. Xavi, impressed by the midfielder’s performance during the U.S. tour, trusted Fermín, who had played on loan in Primera RFEF the previous season. His standout goal against Real Madrid in the Texas Clásico (3-0) opened doors for him.

His better phase began when Frenkie de Jong got injured in late September. Starting from the bench, Fermín scored his first official goal against Mallorca and secured a spot in the starting lineup for five consecutive games, including the Montjuïc Clásico (1-2).

Upon De Jong’s return and with Gavi injured, Fermín’s minutes dwindled. His last league start was against Almería (3-2) on December 13, followed by appearances only in Copa del Rey matches in Barbastro and Salamanca.

In the recent Champions League return against Napoli, Xavi made three late substitutions, none of which involved Fermín.

His involvement has decreased to the extent that he currently ranks 18th in the Barcelona squad for minutes played, totaling 1,032′. This is significantly below the leader, Ilkay Gündogan, who has amassed 2,935′.

While opportunities may resurface, especially in the upcoming match against Getafe, Fermín’s future could be uncertain if his limited participation persists throughout the season’s final stretch.