Barcelona are stuck in a very uncomfortable position with Vitor Roque following the winter transfer window as the Brazilian has barely gotten any minutes so far under Xavi.
The Catalan coach continues to claim that the player is still adapting to the team and their ‘style’, which means his integration into the side will be complicated.
However, with the season all but over at this point, one would assume this is the time he could get minutes to help him adapt to the team.
Against Real Sociedad last night, for example, Xavi took off Robert Lewandowski in the 76th minute to give minutes to Ferran Torres, while Lamine Yamal and Raphinha played the entire 90 minutes, each.
Xavi claimed that Roque did not come on due to an ankle discomfort. That claim has been refuted since then.
Nothing serious
According to a report published by Javi Miguel, Roque did not have a serious problem with his ankle. He suffered a minor discomfort during training, and could have easily played if Xavi wanted him to.
Barcelona were pushing for second place in the league after Girona’s draw against Deportivo Alaves, and the coaching staff must not have been ready to take any risks.
However, with the game in a relatively comfortable position at 1-0, Xavi could have opted to use Roque as an attacking option. 16-year-old Yamal could have come off in place of Roque, with Torres occupying the right flank.
Heading towards the exit door?
After joining Barcelona as recently as January, Roque is already reportedly heading towards the exit door, with reports claiming that he could be one of the victims of the club’s financial mess as they try to balance their books.
His agent has already gone on record to say that they will try to look for a more permanent solution for Roque, and a loan is currently off the cards.
