“Xavi Hernandez Poised to Promote Academy Prospect as Rotation Option and Secure New Contract”

Barcelona’s manager, Xavi Hernandez, found himself in a challenging situation during the summer transfer market. While some of his requests were fulfilled, he’s now dealing with a notably short senior squad, comprised of just 19 players. However, it seems that Xavi has a plan to address this issue by turning to a promising academy prospect while also securing a new contract.

During the summer, Xavi successfully acquired key targets like experienced right-back Joao Cancelo and midfielders Ilkay Gundogan and Oriol Romeu. However, Xavi had initially emphasized the need to double up on every position, allowing for more flexible rotation between at least two options.

As it stands, Cancelo is the only natural right-back in the squad, and Joao Felix is the sole natural forward option coming from the left side. Ferran Torres, while versatile, is more comfortable in the middle or on the right. Additionally, Xavi is lacking another number nine to provide cover for Robert Lewandowski, although Vitor Roque’s arrival in January seems likely to help bolster the attacking options.

While several players, including Sergi Roberto, Frenkie de Jong, and Ilkay Gundogan, could potentially cover for Romeu in midfield, Xavi would prefer not to deploy them out of their ideal positions. Thus, when resting Romeu, Xavi is expected to turn to 19-year-old Marc Casado.

Casado made his debut as a pivot against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League group stage last season. He stands out for his exceptional positioning and decision-making abilities, particularly within the Barcelona system. Xavi appears eager to integrate him into the team gradually, especially in situations where a lower-tempo game or a comfortable lead allows for experimentation.

Casado currently has a clause in his contract that would allow Barcelona to automatically extend it for another year, with the contract set to expire in 2024. However, Xavi’s plan is to offer Casado a longer-term contract. If he successfully serves as Romeu’s backup, it would be a cost-effective solution for Barcelona. Even if he simply proves his quality at the La Liga level, the club should have the opportunity to recoup some money for him if he has time left on his contract. This strategic move aligns with Barcelona’s commitment to nurturing and developing young talents from their renowned academy.