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Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez explained why winter signing Vitor Roque barely plays.
Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has addressed the fallout that ensued from Vitor Roque’s agitation for more game time.
Barcelona signed the 19-year-old striker from Atletico Paranaense last summer, but he joined the club in January. However, according to Xavi Hernandez, he joined ahead of schedule.
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What happened
Despite making a significant outlay to acquire the young talent from Brazil, Barcelona boss Xavi has barely utilised him.
Roque has barely managed 300 minutes for Barcelona this season, scoring two goals. He was signed for €40 million, with a reported additional €20 million in add-ons.
His lack of game time has frustrated him, and members of his circle have come out to criticise Xavi. His wife Dayana Lins fired a shot at the club via Instagram, and his agent Andre Curry suggested he could leave the club this summer if he continues to be below the pecking order.
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What Xavi said
Xavi addressed the situation in a recent press conference, where he explained that they initially planned to leave Roque in Brazil till this summer.
He explained that the plan was not for him to be involved this season; however, the injuries to Gavi and Balde forced them to bring him in early.
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"That’s how we planned it. We hadn’t planned for him coming so soon, we planned it for the summer, so he could continue learning as a player,” he said, per Goal.
“Then we decided it was for the best for the club and for him, we had the chance to bring him in because of the injuries to Gavi and Balde so that he could train, get to know the club and his teammates, and then compete with his teammates.
"The debate, for me, I don’t understand it. He is learning. There are footballers ahead of him, who are in better conditions, and that is why he plays less. These things have happened all my life."
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