It's Time for Ibrahim Afellay to Show His Worth at Barcelona

There have been many great Dutch names to grace the hallowed turf at the Camp Nou. Few clubs have such an affiliation with a country outside their own.

Ronald Koeman, Michael Reiziger, Frank de Boer, Phillip Cocu and Patrick Kluivert are amongst those that have plied their trade in Catalonia at some point in their careers.

The man that started it all was, of course, Johan Cruyff, it was his playing philosophy that is still deeply entrenched into the club to this day.

As a player he was a skilful wide man, twisting and turning defenders out of shape, using his quick feet to glide past opponents and providing a trick to create space as he put in a cross.

It's fair to say with his footballing ideology, country of birth and his particular technique that he would have been pleased to see fellow countryman and winger Ibrahim Afellay making the move from Holland to Barcelona.

"He’ll need some time to adapt but he’s definitely a smart kid. With his desire to do things correctly, he’s got everything he needs to succeed in his new club," remarked Cruyff in November 2010 in his weekly column in El Periodico, translated via Total Barca.

Although not even the great man could have predicted the unfortunate injuries which have plagued Afellay's career in Spain.

Afellay has not played for Barca since May 2012 against Real Betis, though he did play ten games for Schalke while out on loan in the 2012/13 season.

Torn cruciate ligaments in his left knee and a chronic thigh injury have been amongst his problems, then on August 22, 2013 he underwent another operation which has kept him out until now, via the official Barcelona website.

He returned to training in the final weeks of 2013, so manager Gerardo Martino has had time to assess his fitness and attributes. "Afellay has looked very good this week and we thought it was a good time to include him," commented Martino, via the official Barcelona website.

There is certainly a sense that he has to deliver sooner rather than later. That seems like a lot of pressure to put on Afellay after being out so long, but if he doesn't seize his opportunity in the next few weeks, then when will he?

Afellay's versatility in being able to play across the frontline will help when it comes to finding game time, but at 27 years old and after a troublesome three years, the club are unlikely to renew a contract which has only 18 months left to run.

He would need to deliver on the promise shown at PSV, whilst simultaneously staying free from ailment with little margin for error. Whilst the club would need to sell this summer in order to get a transfer fee of some sort.

The options available to Martino means that Afellay faces an uphill battle. The resurgence of Pedro and with Alexis Sanchez enjoying his finest campaign in Barca colours, alongside the complicated signing of Neymar, means he could only hope to make fourth choice at best.

Then a hat-trick from La Masia product Cristian Tello in the week, put a further dent in the Dutchman's aspirations.

Perhaps, he could play as a 'false nine' but he won't be able to wrestle either Lionel Messi or Cesc Fabregas out of his way.

With Andres Iniesta and Neymar both out injured, Martino is correct about the timing. Plus the January transfer window has less than a week to run if another club wishes to take a gamble.

Despite his complications, Afellay's stock remains high throughout Europe and reports have surfaced that Tottenham Hotspur are interested in taking him until the end of May, per Metro's Jamie Sanderson.

His inclusion in the squad for tonight's match with Malaga might be his final swan song, but it's also a rare moment for him to present himself and those are surely running out.