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9 months ago
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Under Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona have not shied away from handing opportunities to promising talents coming through the academy ranks.
The likes of Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez have enjoyed their breakthrough campaign this term while the likes of Marc Guiu, Hector Fort, and more recently Pau Cubarsi.
One player who has been waiting for his chance in the first-team setup is young midfielder and Barça Atletic captain Marc Casado.
A defensive midfielder by trade, the La Masia ace has been in and around the first-team setup for a while now but has yet to be given a proper run by Xavi, despite the lack of a natural No. 6 in the squad beyond Oriol Romeu.
Change of positions for Casado?
Now, though, Jaume Mercet of SPORT is reporting that Xavi could consider deploying Marc Casado as a makeshift right-back moving forward.
This comes on the back of the 20-year-old midfielder was slotted in at right-back during Barcelona Atletic’s recent game against Real Sociedad by reserves’ manager Rafa Marquez.
It must be remembered that Xavi has also previously utilised Casado at right-back, during the pre-season tour of the summer of 2022.
Last season, it was Jules Kounde who played at right-back while this term the responsibility has been thrust upon Joao Cancelo, with Ronald Araujo, Kounde, Sergi Roberto, and Hector Fort all filling in when needed.
But it is clear that Araujo and Kounde wish to play at centre-back while Roberto does not generate much confidence when deployed at right-back.
As such, there is a chance of Xavi testing Casado as an option in the full-back position after he impressed against Real Sociedad B.
The 20-year-old is capable of operating as a inverted full-back – a tactic that Xavi tried with Dani Alves during the 2021/22 season, thanks to his primary role of a midfielder.
For now, though, Barcelona will be focusing on securing Casado’s future, with some La Liga clubs sniffing around as his contract stands to expire at the end of the season.
