Reports doing the rounds in the Spanish media on Sunday evening have provided an insight into developments under the watch of Xavi Hernandez at FC Barcelona.
Roberto returns
The Xavi era of course got underway in Catalunya last night.
On the back of Ronald Koeman’s dismissal and the subsequent appointment of the club’s former midfield metronome, Barca welcomed Espanyol to the Camp Nou, for a highly-anticipated derby showdown.
And, when all was said and done, the Blaugrana managed to return to winning ways, owing to a solitary Memphis Depay spot-kick early in the 2nd-half:
The first goal of Xavi’s reign as Barcelona manager comes from a Memphis spot kick! 🔵🔴
Should it have been a penalty, though? 👀 pic.twitter.com/ZPSqAVQFcr
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) November 20, 2021
The Spanish heavyweights, however, will be provided with little time to rest on their laurels.
Next on the agenda for Xavi and co., in less than 48 hours’ time, comes a Champions League group stage showdown with Benfica, one which the Catalans, in truth, simply cannot afford to lose.
And, if the latest word stemming from Spain late on Sunday evening is anything to go by, then Barca’s new boss has already come to one major selection decision, ahead of his first taste of continental action since clinching a Camp Nou return.
The info comes courtesy of Diario Sport, who suggest that Sergi Roberto, on the back of a recent spell on the sidelines, is set to be thrown straight back in from the off on Tuesday night.
The oft-maligned Spanish international could be utilised in either a right-back role, or even potentially a more advanced position on the wing.
#FCB 🔵🔴
💥 Xavi no quiso forzar la vuelta de Sergi Roberto ante el Espanyol para que estuviera al cien por cien en el duelo crucial de Champions League
✍️ @Jordigilhttps://t.co/EUPRWnNKfo
— Diario SPORT (@sport) November 21, 2021
VDB rejected
Xavi’s personnel decisions this weekend, though, have not been restricted solely to the crop of players currently at his disposal in the Catalan capital.
This comes with the 41-year-old, in addition, having made a significant call when it comes to potential additions to his squad.
In a further report on the part of Sport, it is claimed that Donny van de Beek, whose struggles at Manchester United have been widely documented, was recently contacted by those in charge of transfers at Barcelona.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 24: Donny Van De Beek of Manchester United reacts during the UEFA Champions League Group H stage match between Manchester United and İstanbul Basaksehir at Old Trafford on November 24, 2020 in Manchester, England (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
The Blaugrana were keen to gauge whether the Dutchman would be interested in the prospect of a January move to the club, with VDB having not been shy in confirming as much.
Any such move, however, was quickly ruled out once put to Xavi.
The Spaniard is understood to have made clear to the board at the Camp Nou that he does not feel his squad requires strengthening in the middle of the park.
#FCB 🔵🔴
🔥 Xavi rechazó la operación argumentando que no necesita refuerzos para su centro del campohttps://t.co/pfxOQ2YgI4
— Diario SPORT (@sport) November 21, 2021
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