Jordi Alba has come in for his fair share of criticism in recent times but he’s performing at a very high level for Barcelona right now. The Catalan has become integral for Xavi Hernandez.
Alba, 32, assisted Ferran Torres for Barcelona’s equaliser against Elche on Sunday afternoon in a game the Blaugrana ended up winning 2-1. It was his seventh assist of the season, just one less than his record eight in 2017/18 and 2018/19.
This is Alba’s tenth season at Barcelona and, according to Mundo Deportivo, no other defender has provided more assists than him in that time; he’s delivered 55 in La Liga, more than Andrew Robertson (48), Trent Alexander-Arnold (44), Dani Alves (38) and Marcelo (37). He’s provided 82 across all competitions.
Only three players in Spain have provided more assists than Alba so far this season; Karim Benzema of Real Madrid’s figure stands at ten, Oscar Trejo of Rayo Vallecano’s stands at nine and Athletic Club’s Iker Muniain stands at eight. There’s life in him yet.