Xavi contemplating using 2 Barcelona stars out of position due to central defensive crisis Reports × Follow Us Create Notifications New User posted their first comment this is comment text Link Approve Reject & ban Delete Log in Manage your profile Editing Story Queue Video Queue Editing Stats Writer Home SEO Redirection Admin Wiki Edits Taxonomy Home Edit Site Menu Mapping Dashboard Tag Pages Community Social Feed Queue Feed Center Notification Center Affiliate Home Manage Pages Bottom Tagline Dash Timeless Stories Logout Football La Liga 2022-23 Rumors

Xavi contemplating using 2 Barcelona stars out of position due to central defensive crisis Reports

By Matthew Guyett Modified 26 Sep 2022 Follow Us Comment Share Barca could use unfamiliar duo at centre-back Spanish journalist Javi Miguel (via BarcaTimes) reports that Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez is considering using Frenkie de Jong and Marcos Alonso as makeshift centre-backs. An injury crisis has hit Xavi's squad during the international break, with Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo having incurred problems. Kounde is set to miss three weeks of action whilst Araujo could be on the sidelines for around two months. It has come at a difficult time for Barcelona with important games against Mallorca, Inter Milan, and Celta Vigo on the horizon. Therefore, De Jong and Alonso may fill in for the injured duo as Xavi has to tinker with his squad. Barça Universal@BarcaUniversalIf Frenkie de Jong stays at Barça, it will be difficult for him to play in the midfield; Xavi likes him as a centre-back.

— @sport4063109If Frenkie de Jong stays at Barça, it will be difficult for him to play in the midfield; Xavi likes him as a centre-back.— @sport https://t.co/KLhHKXoDww De Jong has previously played at centre-back for Ajax under Erik ten Hag before arriving at the Nou Camp. The Dutch midfielder has also played under former Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman for the Netherlands in the role as well as being trialed in the role by Xavi during pre-season. Alonso's versatility was a reason behind his signing and the Spaniard has played in centre-back for former side Chelsea in the past. This may just be a last resort as Barca do boast the likes of Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen and Gerard Pique as centre-back options. Kounde may return for the huge encounter with Real Madrid in El Clasico on October 16. However, Araujo may not make another appearance for the Blaugrana before the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off in late November. FC Barcelona@FCBarcelonaLATEST NEWS Tests on Saturday morning have confirmed that Ronald Araujo has a right adductor longus tendon avulsion. As a result he is unavailable for selection until he recovers.10606628LATEST NEWS Tests on Saturday morning have confirmed that Ronald Araujo has a right adductor longus tendon avulsion. As a result he is unavailable for selection until he recovers. https://t.co/apf6RV8syi

Barcelona will look to continue their impressive start to season

Barca have been on fire at the start of the season The absences of Kounde and Araujo come as a blow for Xavi's side but the Spanish tactician now has real strength in depth off the back of a huge summer transfer window. Barcelona have made a brilliant start to the new season and currently sit second in the La Liga table with five wins and one draw in their six league fixtures thus far. Next up for the Blaugrana is a trip to Mallorca where they will be looking to continue their red-hot form. Robert Lewandowski has flourished with 11 goals in just eight appearances since his £40.5 million move from Bayern Munich this past summer. The likes of Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele, Gavi and Pedri are aiding the Pole in his remarkable goalscoring form. All eyes are on the upcoming El Clasico and how Barcelona will fare against the reigning La Liga champions. A win over Carlo Ancelotti's side would be a huge statement of intent for Xavi's men. Poll : 0 votes Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Matthew Guyett × Feedback Thank You! Be the first one to comment Follow Us Share Show More Comments GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? No thanks Delete GIF Cancel Update GIF Cancel Reply ❮ ❯ GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? No thanks Delete GIF Cancel Update GIF Cancel Reply ❮ ❯ Be the first one to comment on this story More from Sportskeeda Fetching more content... 1 Manage your profile Editing Story Queue Video Queue Editing Stats Writer Home SEO Redirection Admin Wiki Edits Taxonomy Home Edit Site Menu Mapping Dashboard Tag Pages Community Social Feed Queue Feed Center Notification Center Affiliate Home Manage Pages Bottom Tagline Dash Timeless Stories Logout No Results Found Get the free App now Manage notifications Popular ‍ Sports (30+) CricketCricket HomeScheduleT20 World CupT20 warm upIND vs SAENG vs PAKAUS vs ENGLegends LeagueECS T10 CroatiaWBBL 2022ECC T10SMAT 2022Bukhatir LeagueNZ T20 Tri-SeriesWomen's Asia Cup 2022ECT10 FootballFootball HomeNewslettersSK Experts ScheduleEPLNations LeagueLa LigaLigue 1Champions LeagueFIFA WCMLS Bundesliga Serie A WWEWWE HomeNewslettersRumor RoundupRAWSmackDownResultsRosterChampionsWWE Crown Jewel 2022PPV ScheduleAEW EsportsEsports HomeMinecraftOverwatch 2RobloxGenshin ImpactFortniteGTAStreamersFree FirePUBGValorantBGMIPop CultureAnimeGaming TechWiki Guides TennisTennis HomeTennis calendarTennis Results TodayATP RankingsWTA RankingsRoger FedererRafael NadalNovak DjokovicSerena Williams MMAMMA HomeUFC NewsONE ChampionshipUFC Fight NightScheduleRankingsResultsUFC Fights TonightONE Championship ResultsONE Championship ScheduleONE Championship Rankings KabaddiKabaddi HomePKL 2022PKL SchedulePKL Points TableKabaddi Rules WikiWiki HomeMinecraft WikiNaruto WikiTikTok WikiYoutube WikiGTA WikiTerraria WikiOne Piece Wiki MoreSportsBasketballIndian FootballNFLMinecraftFormula 1NascarPop CultureCollege FootballHockeyGolfAthleticsBadmintonGymnasticsWrestlingSwimmingTennisShootingBoxingArcheryWinter SportsRobloxFree PicksSkateboardingKho KhoLifestyle LINKS About Us Write For Us Policies Editorial Standards Journalism Awards Fact Check Affiliate Program Careers CSR Privacy Policy Contact Us Edition: English हिन्दी