(Football news) Barcelona have submitted their squad for the Europa League. According to UEFA rules only 3 winter signings were permitted to feature in the squad and Xavi chose to go for Ferran Torres, Adama Traore and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The decision is a little strange considering Alves is pretty much the 2nd choice right back at the club while there are plenty more options up front. Now Barcelona have the option of Sergino Dest and Oscar Mingueza to play right back. Barcelona have chosen to ignore Alves' big game experience and gone for more fire power in attack. It would've been a tough decision to leave any of Torres, Traore and Aubameyang but leaving Alves out is a huge risk. 

The 38 year old rejoined Barcelona for free, 5 years after leaving the club. Alves came with the sole intention of helping the club as he will earn the lowest permitted salary by La Liga. Even though Alves might not have the physical ability that he had in his prime he is still a good player to have on the pitch and especially in the dressing room. His leadership quality can be used considering the situation Barcelona is in.

Another surprise is that Ousmane Dembele is included in the squad despite the club saying that he won't play for Barcelona again after he rejected multiple contract renewal offers. Recently, president Joan Laporta said that it is difficult for Dembele to play any games before his contract runs out at the end of the season. He also said the decision will be totally left to Xavi and reports suggest that Xavi wouldn't be against the idea of using the Frenchman. If Dembele is at the club and earning money, then the most sensible option would be to use him.
 

Also read: Sergio Ramos' Real Madrid homecoming in major doubt after recent injury