The search for a subtitute goalkeeper may prove to be more complicated than I had first thought. Santi Cañizares is a non-starter as he would not be eligible to play for Barça in either La Liga or the Champions League this season. Barça need to find a goalkeeper who could play in both tournaments and this reduces the possibilities considerably.

One candidate being touted by the press is Getafe’s Oscar Ustari. The 21-year-old Argentinian has only played in four league games and so would be eligible for the league, he has also played in this season’s Uefa Cup, but Uefa rules say he could still play in the Champions League.

Another possibility being mentioned is Manchester City’s Kasper Schmeichel, son of the legendary Peter. Schmeichel is 20 years old and is currently on loan to Cardiff City. The problem with Schmeichel is that he went to Cardiff in order to play every week so he is unlikely to want to move to sitting on Barça’s bench.

Of course Barça could look for the solution at home and promote 18-year-old Oier Olazabal (pictured above) to the first team squad. Oier was signed in the summer from Real Union de Irun and has impressed in the 18 games he has played for Barça B. The problem with a youngster like Oier is that he really should be playing every week and not warming the subs bench.

I worry that Barça will reach the Champions League Final and that Valdés will get injured or suspended for the match. We could face the prospect of giving an eighteen-year-old his debut in such an important match. It reminds me of the 1991 Cup Winners Cup final when Zubizaretta was suspended and Carles Busquets had to step up for the game. No disrespect to Busquets but he probably cost us the game. 

I argued in my preview of the new season that Barça should buy a new keeper. At the time I was worried that Jorquera wasn’t good enough to stand in for Valdés. Now, however, we are in a position where there are very few top class keepers available. If we had gone for someone in the summer there would have been many more options open. I hope we don’t find ourselves regretting this at the end of the season.