The last few years have seen wholesome changes in the FC Barcelona squad, and almost all the players from the legendary Pep Guardiola team have left the club. Sergio Busquets left Barcelona at the end of last season, and now only one player who has played for Guardiola during his stint at Barcelona remains.
This player is the current captain of the team, Sergi Roberto. The La Masia graduate made his debut in November 2010, and since that time, he has been a part of the Barcelona team under all the various coaches who have been in charge.
Roberto seeing his game time reduced
Roberto renewed with Barcelona last season at the express wish of Xavi, and this contract had the option for an extension of another year. However, as SPORT has mentioned, Roberto has been afforded fewer minutes this season, and everything indicates that this will be his last season in the garnet and blue colors.
He has played only 174 minutes this season and has not featured in any of the last four games at all. He used to be the club’s wild card for the right-back position in past seasons, but now with the presence of Cancelo and Xavi’s preference for Araujo and Kounde as his replacements, Roberto is unlikely to get many minutes this season.
Furthermore, the midfield is also very competitive and even overbooked with the emergence of Fermin Lopez onto the scene. Thus, Roberto would find it difficult to get on the pitch in either of the two positions that Barcelona coaches present and past have deployed him during his Barcelona career.
Roberto liked by the squad and the coach
Xavi likes the Spaniard, particularly for his versatility, dedication, and authority in the locker room, and his reduced wages in the last renewal made him a particularly favorable player for Xavi. Furthermore, his understanding of the Barcelona style and willingness to take a secondary role at the club was also attractive to Xavi.
Being the team’s captain, Roberto plays an important role in Barcelona’s dressing room. He has a good relationship with all the members of the team and is highly respected by his teammates. However, Roberto knows that after the signings Barcelona made this summer, he has very slim chances of getting into the starting lineup.
Thus, it is looking increasingly likely that Roberto’s cycle at Barcelona is reaching an end, and while he will remain a part of the club’s illustrious history, he might have to look for another club in the coming summer.
