Following the recent injury conundrum which has made life a bit perplexed for La Blaugrana, Xavi emphasized that he could use his midfielders as center-backs if needed.
We have already seen Frenkie de Jong playing as a center-back in the preseason. Although these are mere ideas at the current point however this means that there is a possible shift of roles on the cards for some Barcelona Midfielders with the likes of Frenkie De Jong and Gavi.
B team players like Marc Casado, Alvaro Nuñez, and Chadi Riad can also get their chances for bolstering the defensive line till the Primary defensive Pairing of the La Blaugrana returns.
Xavi spoke to the press in his pre-match press conference ahead of Barca’s game against RCD Mallorca.
Xavi on the available defensive options:
“The defenders we have are of high quality. What we ask from them is acquisition and physical superiority. We also rotate between them, with many matches. I could play with midfielders in the back, like Frenkie de Jong or Gavi but these are just ideas.”
Xavi also spoke about Barca’s right back options:
“We have some options, like Sergi Roberto or Marc Casado from the second team, or maybe we could use a left-back there. I always communicate with Marquez, who is doing well, and I also watched the training of the second team players. Anyone who can help us from the second team can play with us.”
Xavi on Barca’s current injury crisis:
“I’m disappointed but we have to stay positive. Every injured player is important to us but what happened, happened. Now the next stop is for the World Cup. We have to be careful, and pay attention to every detail.”
“Injuries are nobody’s fault, not even the national teams’ fault. Bellerín has also been injured with us… It’s not about blaming anyone. I told the squad that everyone was going to be needed.”