Keira Walsh, one of the most sought-after soccer players in the world, arrived at FC Barcelona two and a half years ago. Now she's preparing to return to England, although Florentino Pérez might prevent it. There's no place for her at Barça.
There's No Place for Keira Walsh at Barça
She landed at Barça alongside her compatriot Lucy Bronze. She had played five seasons at Manchester City and was a key player for the English national team, then the European champion.
Her arrival at Barça coincided with Alexia Putellas's serious injury, which allowed her to take her place and shine continuously. But Alexia returned, Keira Walsh began to fade at Barça last season, and currently she barely has a place on the team.
It shouldn't surprise anyone. Her position is in the midfield, and that's where Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí play (four Ballon d'Ors between them). So does Patri Guijarro, who is vital for Barça and the world champion national team.
There's no place for her at Barça and she plays much less than she'd like. Her contract ends on June 30, she hasn't renewed and won't renew, and she's already started planning her future outside the blue and garnet club.
Barça hasn't lifted a finger to renew her. The reason is that the youth academy is thriving and there are other players capable of being alternatives for the magical trio.
Marketing Works Better for Her Than Soccer
Her idea isn't to return to Manchester City. Her preferences lean toward London clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea, which have already expressed their interest.
At Chelsea, she'd reunite with Lucy Bronze. At Arsenal, with Mariona Caldentey. Both were her teammates at Barça.
Three goals and two assists, in a team like Barça and at this point in the season, are little for a player of her quality, used to being a protagonist.
However, the truth is that, living in the shadow of Aitana, Alexia, and Patri Guijarro, marketing smiles on Keira Walsh. Always present in the selection of the best in the major awards, even ahead of Carolyn Graham-Hansen, the queen without a throne of world soccer.
Keira hasn't replied to Chelsea or Arsenal because she's waiting for Real Madrid's offer. Florentino no longer knows what to do to make his women's team competitive.
Walsh's Differences with Figo
The white team hasn't won any titles in its four years of existence. Not because it hasn't spent money on transfers. It has been unable to win or draw a single one of the 16 classics it has played against Barça.
Florentino Pérez already tried to sign Alexia Putellas, but she wasn't willing to play the role of Figo. Keira wouldn't mind. At Real Madrid, she could be the boss of the team while at Barça she's condemned to live in the shadow of the local stars.
Keira is waiting for Real Madrid's call because she's been told not to rush and that it will come. It will be the Figo case in a female version. The difference is that Keira is leaving—to Real Madrid or to England—because Barça has no interest in retaining her.