FC Barcelona: the terrible descent into hell of Clement Lenglet

On Monday night, Clement Lenglet disappointed again. Author of a very mediocre performance against Cadiz, the Frenchman is in full galley for a while now.

A reference. During his time at Sevilla and even during his first months at Barcelona, Clement Lenglet was one of the best elements in his position in La Liga. A defender of guarantees, quite serene, and promised to have a great future with Barcelona and the Blues. But, for a while now, he is on a downward slope… Author of very mediocre performances at the end of the Valverde era, he has gradually disappeared from the plans of the coaches who followed. Since the beginning of the year 2022, he has been used only once, Monday night against Cadiz.

And the least we can say is that he did not really take advantage of this opportunity granted by Xavi … Four months after his last start, the player trained in Nancy has gone through. “He lacked intensity, decision and character. A gray content,” summarizes Marca in its account of the individual performances of the game. He was unanimously blamed for Lucas Perez’s goal, the only one scored in the game. The Frenchman, not helped by his partners in the defense, is too passive in the shot…

How to explain this fall in level?

On social networks, Barça fans and observers of La Liga have not failed to tackle him, and this is also the case in the press. AS is even sharper than Marca: “horrible. Unsure, fragile, unfocused, without intensity, lost on the field. A match to forget. He contributed absolutely nothing. With games like that, his future at Barcelona is in danger. More than technical deficiencies or a lack of level, it is especially mentally that it seems to flounder with him since last season, with many errors of placement, concentration, and an attitude on the field that leaves something to be desired.

A situation which questions, inevitably. The drop in level of the player can have some explanations, starting with the general negative dynamics of the team for several seasons. The various changes of coaches or defensive partners also do not help to create automatisms, but it is clear that the problem is primarily individual and in the head of the player. Last season in February, against Cadiz, he made a mistake that led to the defeat of his team, and then left the Camp Nou crying. Sign of the malaise and lack of confidence of the player, who still has not managed to recover since. With Ronald Araujo in great shape and the desire of the leaders to recruit a new central defender this summer, the hours of Clement Lenglet in Barcelona seems to be counted…