When it was announced earlier today that Barcelona’s outstanding forward Lamine Yamal would be sidelined for three to four weeks due to an ankle injury, the team was dealt a serious setback.

Tests today showed that the 17-year-old sensation’s injury was more serious than first thought. It occurred during Sunday night’s 0-1 loss to Leganes.

The Spanish international will therefore miss both this weekend’s matchup with Atletico Madrid in the top-of-the-table La Liga and the Copa del Rey Round of 32 matchup with UD Barbastro in the first week of January.

Barcelona is extremely concerned about Lamine’s potential absence from the January 8 Spanish Super Cup semi-final matchup against Athletic Club.

But for the next two or three games, Hansi Flick, the manager of the Catalans, has a lot of choices for replacing his lucky winger.

Torres Ferran

Flick’s most obvious choice. The Spaniard’s natural position is on the right wing, although he has been playing Ferran Torres as a striker or on the left side.

The former Manchester City star, who started out as a right-winger at Valencia, can unbalance opposing defenses with his movement and contribute goals, as he has recently demonstrated.

In fact, since he recovered from his injury, the “Shark” has been playing well lately, scoring goals against Mallorca, Real Betis, and Borussia Dortmund.

Raphinha

Flick’s second obvious option would be to move Raphinha, who has done a fantastic job adjusting to his new position on the left side this season, to his native position on the right.

The German might consider repeating the strategy with a different player on the left, as Flick had done when Lamine was sidelined earlier in the season due to an ankle injury.

But there is also the issue of the Brazilian having the best season of his career this season while playing on the left, and making any changes could backfire.

Victor Pau

Pau Victor, who was one of Barcelona’s breakout players during the summer preseason, has struggled to get playing time since the season began.

Flick has used the 23-year-old in a variety of attacking third positions, notably on the right wing, and he has typically excelled when given the opportunity.

This season, he has scored two goals in La Liga at a rate of one per 94 minutes and contributed an assist.

Olmo Dani

Dani Olmo isn’t a right-sided attacker by nature, but he’s been employed in that position at different stages of his career, whether it was with his previous clubs or the Spanish national team.

The 26-year-old has occasionally been used on the left, but Flick has not yet used him on the right. However, Olmo has adapted to his position as the No. 10 quite nicely, so shifting him around might not be the best option, much as with Raphinha.

Dani Rodriguez

With three goals and one assist in three games since returning from a protracted injury layoff, Dani Rodriguez, the next La Masia gem most likely to make it into the senior setup, has demonstrated that he is prepared for the next level.

Winger Dani is renowned for his aggressive one-on-one play and is capable of playing on both flanks. The 19-year-old may be a thrilling alternative in Lamine’s absence, but Flick has not yet summoned him up to train with the senior squad.