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soccer

Xavi wants a new right back

The club are prioritising a right back over a midfielder in the winter transfer market

Joe Brennan
Update:
BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 26: Hector Bellerin of FC Barcelona sprays water during the UEFA Champions League group C match between FC Barcelona and FC Bayern München at Spotify Camp Nou on October 26, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Eric AlonsoGetty

Xavi Hernández is prioritising the arrival of a right-back over any other position this winter market, according to Diario AS. The management team believe that the squad is very unbalanced in this position and especially given that Héctor Bellerín has not been up to the standard required so far. The ex-Arsenal player has very little defensive nous and is prone to flaws in the top-drawer matches.

He was signed as the last choice on the list and at the last minute, with the club fully aware that he would arrive on a free transfer and was going to accept a very low wage package, just over €400,000 a year, the lowest of the entire squad.

However, time has proven that Bellerín cannot cover the position adequately and consistently and as such the club have decided not to renew his deal. Confidence in the academy graduate is so low that the club prefers to play 19 year-old Balde out of position instead of Bellerín.

Apart from that, another problem that arises in this position is that of Sergi Roberto, a centre-midfielder turned right-back. It is true that the man from Reus, until his injury, was playing at a reasonable level, but it is also true that he is not playing in his preferred position.

Jules Koundé has played at right back in almost half of FC Barcelona's games this season (3 out of 7)
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Jules Koundé has played at right back in almost half of FC Barcelona's games this season (3 out of 7)Soccrates ImagesGetty

With so many problems down the right-hand side, Xavi has resorted to using a centre-back to cover in the big games. This is where Jules Koundé and Ronald Araújo have shown their strength and defensive qualities, although the team suffer when they are called upon to attack, especially the Uruguayan.

Due to the situation, FC Barcelona have decided to plug the gap as soon as possible and sign a right-back taking advantage of the winter market. César Azpilicueta was due to sign over the summer, but the player got tired of waiting and signed a contract extension with Chelsea. Barcelona tried first to sign Villarreal’s Juan Foyth, but the Yellow Submarine wanted €30 million. They then moved down the list to Dortmund’s Meunier, but a high price-tag meant that he too would not land in Cataluña. So, in the end, Barça went for the cut-price option, Héctor Bellerín, an option that looks very short sighted now.

A potential candidate to reinforce the right side could be Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot, although his contract situation - a unilateral renewal clause - could mean that he stays until after the summer of 2023, when his current deal is due to end.