While Barca fails at signing, Xavi develops this player as a new midfielder
Xavi Hernandez tries something new during Barca's 3-1 win against Alaves.
Xavi and FC Barcelona are missing eight senior players in the squad right now. Sergi Roberto, Raphinha, Alonso, Ter Stegen, Joao Felix, Gavi, Ferran Torres, and Alejandro Balde are the players the team is missing. Barcelona cannot make world-class signings because of their financial issues.
Barcelona missed out on signing a bright young midfielder in Lucas Bergvall, who moved to Tottenham Hotspur late in the January transfer window. Despite all these problems, Xavi has still managed to make adjustments in the team to get results. The Spanish manager did it again during the 3-1 win against Deportivo Alaves.
When the Barca lineup came out, some Barca fans were confused to see five defenders named in the starting 11. Xavi named Joao Cancelo, Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, and Andreas Christensen. Xavi put Christensen in the holding midfielder position ahead of Oriol Romeu so Frenkie De Jong, Gundogan, and Pedri could play further up the pitch. It seems to work out for the manager after getting the result and expressing his satisfaction with the performance.
Xavi said, "Christensen as pivot? A successful move, although winning always vindicates your decision… but he performed well and was comfortable, and that’s the most important thing. Being a center-back in midfield gives us more aggression and control. I'm happy with Christensen. He gives us discipline in this position, he has the technical ability to play in this position. Christensen is a great central defender, but due to his technique and good touch on the ball, he can adapt perfectly to that position."
Xavi also praises Pau Cubarsi for his performance against Deportivo Alaves
Xavi also spoke highly of 17-year-old center-back Pau Cubarsi. Xavi said, "We were joking with Cubarsi that he seems to be a veteran, with his ball delivery and his aggressiveness in defense, and he doesn't lose duels. I'm very satisfied with him." Cubarsi completed the most passes in the match with 73.
