Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is reportedly considering giving Gavi a starting role against Deportivo Alaves, with the midfielder potentially forming a new partnership with Pedri and Rodri in the centre of the pitch.

According to a report by Barca Universal on Saturday, October 31, 2026, the 22-year-old is among the players being considered for a place in the starting lineup as Barcelona prepare for a busy run of fixtures before the November international break.

Flick is expected to make changes to his team for the Alaves encounter, with several first-team players unavailable and important matches against Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid approaching.

Gavi has found regular playing time difficult to secure this season, managing just 191 minutes of action so far. However, Dani Olmo’s injury could provide the Spain international with an opportunity to establish himself in Flick’s plans.

Barcelona have confirmed that Olmo is expected to spend approximately one month on the sidelines after sustaining an adductor injury. Fermin Lopez could also see his minutes carefully managed as the club navigate their demanding schedule.

Gavi’s energy, aggressive pressing and ability to compete for possession make him an attractive option for Flick, particularly as Barcelona attempt to recover from consecutive defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

If selected alongside Pedri and Rodri, Gavi would be part of a midfield combination that the German manager has not previously deployed from the beginning of a match this season.

The proposed trio would also represent the seventh different midfield arrangement used by Flick during the current campaign.

Pedri and Rodri have frequently featured alongside Fermin Lopez and Olmo, while Gavi and Marc Bernal have generally received fewer opportunities in the starting team.

The Alaves fixture could therefore give Flick an opportunity to assess how the potential combination performs, particularly in terms of creativity, defensive organisation and intensity.

Barcelona’s upcoming commitments could also influence the manager’s decision. The Catalan giants are scheduled to face Aston Villa in midweek before travelling to meet Atletico Madrid on November 8.

Frenkie de Jong, Marc Bernal, Fermin Lopez and Brian Farinas are also available as alternative options, giving Flick several possibilities when deciding how to distribute playing time.

For Gavi, a starting opportunity against Alaves would represent an important chance to convince his manager that he deserves a more prominent role.

However, his inclusion remains uncertain, with Flick yet to make a final decision on his starting lineup for the encounter.