Barca English
With the World Cup in Qatar entering the final juncture with the semi-finals and finals on, Barcelona are getting back to normal with the internationals arriving to prepare for the December 31 derby against Espanyol at the Camp Nou.
There are some technical and sporting decisions that cannot be postponed and Xavi will have to find solutions for them.
Araujo – his recovery and final return
Ronald Araujo continues to make progress in recovery from a right quadriceps tendon injury to his adductor longus. Xavi will have to assess his physical condition and the possibility of his arrival or non-arrival for the match against Espanyol after he did not play any match with Uruguay in the World Cup in Qatar.
Araujo, who underwent surgery on September 28, practiced at a slower pace than his teammates, but showed good vibes.
The fate of Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay’s contract expires at the end of the season, and although there are problems with financial fair play, FC Barcelona no longer considers it necessary to keep him to implement other deals.
Jordi Cruyff has already warned that Barcelona will not be able to count on Lewandowski, who is suspended for three matches. Xavi will have to decide what role to play from now on or if he can do without his services. Roma is interested in signing the Dutchman. As well as Juventus, Arsenal and Galatasaray.
Conde – center back or full back?
Conde played a large part of the World Cup in Qatar as a right back for the France national team. Given the difficulty of concluding new deals in this winter market, Xavi must decide whether to give him continuity in the right-back position or continue to place him in the center of defense because he expresses himself better in it.
Conde and Dembele – will they be back on time or not for the derby?
With France in the World Cup semi-finals, Conde and Dembele will be in Qatar until December 18th or 19th. Then they will have a few days off and Xavi will have to decide whether or not to arrive in time for the derby against Espanyol.
Alba, Baldi and Alonso
Xavi will have to manage the left-back arrangement. Alba and Baldi were in the World Cup in Qatar because of their good performances and either of them can start. Marcos Alonso, meanwhile, has occupied the centre-back position in recent LaLiga matches and can continue to do so.
New signings – winger or midfielder
Xavi will also have to assess the need to sign new players, be it a full-back or a midfielder, if the club’s economy allows, which is far from clear. The coach would like it, but he will have to discuss it with the club’s technical committee.
Lewandowski’s replacement
If the appeals committee does not reduce the penalty for the Polish striker, Barcelona will be left without Lewandowski due to a three-match ban due to his controversial gesture to referee Gil Manzano after he was sent off.
Xavi will have to find a replacement for him and there are several options. Like Ferran Torres or Ansu Fati. The two of them had already occupied this position and arrived with more comfort. There is also Memphis Depay who can cover this position.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
