Barcelona’s out-of-form goalkeeper is playing with knee discomfort

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is going through difficult times.

The 29-year-old, once regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in Europe, has been showing signs of decline in the recent past.

Things started to go bad for the German international since last year when he played through a knee issue before getting it operated on after the debacle in Lisbon. He then spent an extended period on the sidelines for rehabilitation but has not looked the same since.

There were errors creeping in last season as well, while he had to go under the knife yet again earlier this year because of his knee issue. Ter Stegen’s form, though, has continued to dwindle as he does not inspire the same level of confidence he used to before.

Now, SPORT’s Danae Boronat is suspecting that the former Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper is not fully fit and is playing with a knee discomfort. The report points to ter Stegen’s failed attempt to stop Pere Milla in the draw against Osasuna when he tried to dive for the ball without bending his operated knee.

Ter Stegen’s form and questionable fitness have led to speculations over his future. Indeed, the report goes on to indicate that Barcelona had already decided to replace him with Gianluigi Donnarumma last summer. But the Italian stopper’s wage demands proved to be too much for the club and he eventually ended up joining PSG.

But the rumours of his potential exit at the end of the season continue to do the rounds. There have been reports of Barça already identifying replacements for the 29-year-old, with former academy man Andre Onana being one among those.

Xavi Hernandez gave ter Stegen his vote of confidence in an interview recently. But if things do not improve between now and the end of the season, there could be a good chance that the ex-Gladbach ace could be on his way out of the club.