Marcus Rashford has enjoyed a strong rise at Barcelona over the past month, but his grip on a starting role may be about to loosen. With Raphinha almost ready to return from injury, Rashford’s unexpected run of prominence is entering its first real moment of pressure.
Rashford was pushed into the lineup earlier than planned after Raphinha went down, and he has responded with impressive numbers. Only Eric García has played more minutes for the club this season and Rashford has been the team’s most productive attacker with six goals and seven assists. In Raphinha’s absence he became a vital part of Hansi Flick’s system and a consistent source of end product.
That status could change as soon as Saturday. Barcelona expect Raphinha to receive medical clearance before the match against Athletic Club. Once the captain and emotional leader of the attack is fully available again, Rashford’s minutes may begin to decrease.
At his peak, Rashford can turn any match with a burst of pace or a single strike. He is powerful in transition and capable of scoring in tight spaces. Yet he remains a streaky player. He can thrill with a sequence of sharp touches and then frustrate with an overly ambitious shot or a misread pass.
No one doubts Rashford’s talent. The real debate concerns how much consistent value he offers. Barcelona built a devastating attack in Flick’s first year in charge, but the sharp edge of that attack has begun to fade. A disappointing loss to Paris Saint Germain signaled the start of a downward slide. That defeat was followed by a heavy loss to Sevilla, another setback against Real Madrid and then a 3-3 draw with Club Brugge.
Barcelona’s output has dipped slightly. They scored nearly three goals per match last season and now average a little less. Their expected goals per match have fallen from well above two last season to just over two this season. They are also creating fewer clear chances. The drop is small but noticeable, and Rashford’s uneven performances are part of the broader decline.
Rashford’s individual numbers may look strong at first glance. Thirteen goal contributions in sixteen matches is a good return and he is more involved in possession than at any other point in his career. He touches the ball more than sixty times per match and attempts nearly five shots per game. The problem lies in the quality of those attempts. His expected goal value per shot is at the lowest level of his career which suggests he is shooting from poor areas or forcing attempts that carry little threat.
Flick hinted at this issue earlier in the month when he suggested that Rashford should be finishing more of the chances he gets. Rashford responded by saying he tries to make the right choices on the field and admitted that some decisions should have been better. His approach is not built around chasing numbers but rather around trying to make positive contributions within the team structure. Still, the frustration is clear.
Rashford produces over one goal or assist per ninety minutes this season. Raphinha was producing slightly more before his injury. Among forwards with significant league minutes across Europe’s major leagues, only Kylian Mbappé attempts more shots per game. The comparison to Raphinha feels unfair because the Brazilian delivered one of the best seasons of his career last year, finishing fifth in Ballon d’Or voting. Yet that is exactly the level Rashford must compete with in order to stay in the lineup.
The conversation becomes even more complicated when defensive work is considered. Flick’s approach requires total commitment to pressing once the ball is lost. It demands constant awareness and relentless effort. Íñigo Martínez once joked that he had to drink strong coffee before games just to keep up with the mental and physical demands.
Rashford has averaged fewer tackles and interceptions than other attacking players in the squad. He also records among the lowest totals for high intensity pressures in the Champions League this season. Raphinha, by contrast, has always been the engine of the team’s counter pressing. Even with limited minutes this year he has produced more high energy defensive actions than Rashford and last season he led Barcelona’s attack without the ball.
Raphinha’s value does not lie only in his goals and assists, although he provided plenty of both in the previous campaign. His influence in training and in matches gives Barcelona a structure and defensive base that allows the entire attack to function. His return is seen as a major lift for the club at a moment when they need to reset and rediscover their rhythm.
Rashford’s long term place in Barcelona’s plans is not yet determined. His situation is also tied to the coaching future of the club. Reports suggest that Flick will depart at the end of the season, opening the possibility that a new manager may have a different view of Rashford’s strengths and weaknesses. His versatility gives him several pathways to remain relevant, especially if opportunities arise through rotation or future injuries.
Flick may also decide to adapt Rashford’s role rather than reduce his minutes. In a recent match against Girona, Rashford struggled on the left wing but looked far more dangerous once he moved into a central position. Even within the coaching staff there is no clear agreement on his best position.
What is certain is that Raphinha’s return raises the standard Rashford must meet. If the Brazilian comes back close to the level he showed over the past eighteen months, Rashford will need to evolve his game to maintain his place. He can be decisive and brilliant, but he is also prone to wasteful spells and lapses in concentration.
Rashford has spent his entire career trying to reach the level he hinted at as a teenager at Manchester United. He has delivered moments of inspiration and periods of struggle in equal measure. The question now is whether Barcelona will continue to give him the stage to grow or whether he will slowly slip into the background.
With Raphinha on the verge of returning, the answer is coming soon.
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