Barcelona should count on song in La Liga, but not Champions League

Given that Cristian Tello, Adriano and Sergi Roberto have started more games this season for Barcelona than Alex Song, it is fairly obvious that the former Arsenal midfielder is little more than a squad player at the Nou Camp.

It could be for this reason that Song has reportedly been offered to Manchester United during the January transfer window, while interest has additionally existed from Napoli.

But if Gerardo Martino harbours serious hopes of a treble in his first season in charge or even just topping the table in the Spanish top-flight, the statistics suggest that Song should be a more regular feature of the first team.

It should certainly be of interest that Song has tasted defeat in just four Barcelona games since joining from Arsenal in the summer of 2012, but none of these have been in La Liga or the Spanish Cup.

Barcelona currently top La Liga, but are level on points with Atletico Madrid after taking 51 from a possible 60 available.

They have won all 10 in which Song has featured, which includes the 2-1 triumph over Real Madrid at the Nou Camp in October.

Barcelona are still odds-on to win La Liga for the fifth time in six seasons, although the fact they have away games remaining with five of their fellow top-eight members in the standings ensures that this is not a foregone conclusion.

In contrast, Atletico only face two of their other top eight on the road.

Song has also never been beaten in the Copa del Rey and played the full 90 minutes in the latest 4-1 quarter-final first-leg triumph at Levante.

However, when it comes to the Champions League, it may be in Barcelona’s interests that Song is left out.

Three of his Barca defeats have been in the competition, including his only start this season in the 2-1 reverse at Ajax.

Barcelona’s odds are 5/1 to win the Champions League and they couldn’t have realistically been given a tougher draw in the round of 16, where they will face Manchester City.