Barcelona coach Xavi expects that he can deploy newcomer Vitor Roque in Barça's upcoming match against Las Palmas. This was reported by the Spanish coach during the press moment leading up to the duel in Gran Canaria.
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Barcelona's recent acquisition, Roque, originally slated for a transfer next summer, finds himself joining the team sooner than expected due to Gavi's injury, which created the necessary financial flexibility.
Manager Xavi has confirmed that the registration process for Roque is nearly complete, stating, "What they told me is that there is one thing missing for the registration, but I will call him up and I count on him."
However, Xavi is mindful not to overwhelm the 18-year-old talent immediately, emphasizing a gradual integration process. Despite being eligible for registration this season, the coach is cautious about exposing Roque to too much responsibility right away. Xavi noted, "We do it step by step because we cannot put too much responsibility on an eighteen-year-old boy. We are preparing him, he trains well and also integrates well into the group."
While Robert Lewandowski remains the primary striker for Barcelona, Xavi welcomes the healthy competition Roque brings. The coach even suggests the possibility of them playing together, stating, "They can also play together, that won't be a problem." In Brazil, Roque predominantly played as a striker, but Xavi envisions utilizing him as a winger as well.
Xavi expresses particular concern about Barcelona's defensive performance, noting their vulnerability to conceding goals. In the last ten official matches, Barcelona managed to keep a clean sheet only twice, conceding a total of 21 goals, making them the team with the highest goals conceded in the top of La Liga.
As the registration of Roque nears completion, Xavi hopes to address defensive issues and strengthen the squad for the challenges ahead in the season.
