Although the wheels haven’t fairly come off for Barcelona this season, it’s not been essentially the most classic of campaigns for them to date in 2023/24.
A lot of the stop-start nature of the season may arguably be attributed to the absences of key gamers by way of harm.
Pedri has been a long-term absentee, as has Frenkie de Jong, and when neither have been in situ, Barca’s midfield has appeared brittle at instances and missing invention.
Definitely, de Jong’s marauding runs – which had turn into a key function of the best way Barca had been evolving underneath Xavi – have been sorely missed.
The Catalans have been gradual and laboured of their passing with nobody trying to break the traces.
In flip that has meant they’ve turn into very predictable and straightforward to play in opposition to, so the Dutchman’s return can’t come quickly sufficient.
Given his significance to the membership and the best way that Xavi and the powers that be need Barca to play the sport, one would possibly anticipate {that a} contract extension could be within the offing.
Nevertheless, sporting director, Deco, has introduced there’ll be no contract discussions in the meanwhile, no matter how lengthy a participant has left to run on his present deal.
“This 12 months we’re not going to make any renewals. We don’t speak about that,” he stated to Sport.
“We’re calm, with out dashing, approaching the brokers as a result of we all know that there are gamers who’ve this season and one or two extra and at the moment we are going to speak to the brokers. Each events need to be completely satisfied and we are going to see sooner or later.
“Frenkie is a superb participant, I like him. There are others in the same state of affairs, like Pedri, Raphinha, and Ferran and they’re gamers who’ve a contract and we’re going to attempt to enhance little by little however with out entering into individualities.
“It’ll rely upon him and in addition on the membership’s state of affairs, in addition to within the case of different gamers. After all, De Jong is a superb participant and we want to have good gamers.”
