Yerry Mina’s transfer to Barcelona may have been low-key, especially as he signed in the same month the Catalan club completed their high-profile deal for Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho, but he was considered one of the biggest talents to come out of South America in recent times.
Though he was viewed in Europe as an unknown, young and inexperienced player, at the age of 23 and already a regular in the Colombia side, he was far from it.
The only issue was the question of whether he would be able to adapt to the European game, and in order to do so he needed game time.
Initially, Barcelona seemed like the ideal club to get it. They needed defensive reinforcements behind Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti, and the way they dominate possession means that a defender can be eased in.
However, Mina found chances hard to come by during his first five months at the club, and with an unbeaten record to maintain, Barcelona’s season became about more than just winning the league. There was pressure on each game, even with the title already won.
Unfortunately for the Colombian, he was present in a much-changed side which saw Barca lose their unbeaten record in a crazy 5-4 loss at Levante.
It’s usually wise to bed in new players alongside existing regulars, but in this much-changed back four, which included centre-back Thomas Vermaelen and right-back Nelson Semedo either side of him, Mina struggled, and was the easy target when it came to apportioning blame.
On the back of this, AS have reported that Barcelona will not be requiring his services next season, and will look to loan the player out for a season or two, or even sell him.
This leaves Mina going into a World Cup with his club future uncertain, and the next couple of months could be vital for his career.
If he can remain focused on the task him hand, and perform for Colombia as he did during his time playing for Brazilian side Palmeiras, then he could really put himself in the shop window and restore his status as one of the best up-and-coming defenders around.
Even if they top their tricky group, Colombia are likely to have a difficult last sixteen draw against either England or Belgium, and if they finish second in their group, they are likely to have to face favourites Brazil. They will need their squad to be at the top of their game in order to progress. From star man James Rodriguez up top, to the new generation of centre backs, including Mina and Tottenham’s Davinson Sanchez, in defence.
Mina will have to put that Levante game to the back of his mind, and if he shows his liberated and entertaining style of defending on the big stage he could make Barcelona think twice about letting him go.
The club are also thought to want to free up an non-EU spot for Brazilian midfielder Arthur, who will arrive next season. This could be another reason Mina could be the one to lose out, as the other non EU players are first team stars, Paulinho and Coutinho.
Barcelona’s loss could be another club’s gain. The Catalan’s shortsightedness, signing the player but ultimately deciding they have no use for him, could be a turning point in the players career, and both he and Colombia will be hoping the next path leads in the right direction.
