Long-term Barcelona target claims Jordi Alba is a ‘perfect leader’ | OneFootball

Jordi Alba has been in the news lately, particularly due to his selection in the Spanish national team despite the defender’s struggles with form in these early parts of the campaign.

The veteran has indeed fallen behind in the pecking order at Barcelona, with Xavi now preferring Alejandro Balde as the club’s number one choice in the left-back position.

However, Alba still remains a respected figure, not only in and around the Barcelona camp but also in Spain. It was evident in Jose Gaya’s recent comments on the experienced left-back, as the Valencia star hailed Alba for his leadership.

Speaking ahead of Spain’s UEFA Nations League matches against Switzerland and Portugal, Gaya revealed (h/t FCB World): “I get along well with Jordi Alba, we have had a friendly relationship for a long time and I look at him as a captain and see how he motivates his teammates. He really is a perfect leader.”

Gaya’s comments on Alba are quite significant given the fact that the Spaniard has constantly been linked with a move to Barcelona as a long-term replacement for the 33-year-old veteran defender.

With his contract with Valencia expiring at the end of the season, Gaya remains on the agenda of Barça director Mateu Alemany.

Gaya endured a slow start to the campaign, missing the first four games of the new season. But he is now back in the fray, having started the last two matches for Valencia. The Spaniard will now be hoping to make an impression with the national team in the coming week.

The duel between Gaya and Alba will certainly be one of the aspects worth keeping an eye on as La Roja lock horns with Switzerland and Portugal in the UEFA Nations League.