How will Barcelona replace Gavi for the rest of the season?

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There are several options available to Xavi

Barcelona have some tough decisions to make regarding Gavi and how to replace the effervescent teenager who will not play again this season.

Gavi has regularly been described as Barca’s “heart and soul” and there really is no-one else quite like him when it comes to the intensity he brings to the team.

Barca’s Golden Boy has been a virtual ever-present this season, not least because of injuries to Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, but must now focus on his recovery.

Xavi therefore seems to have three options when it comes to how to cope without Gavi: sign a player in January, use what he has, or dip into the reserves.

The rumor mill has already churned out a few names regarding who could arrive, with Giovani Lo Celsco apparently topping the list. The opportunity to bring back Pablo Torre from his loan spell at Girona early is also a possibility.

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However, the window is still a few weeks away, allowing Xavi to experiment with the options he has at his disposal in the first instance.

Xavi does have Pedri, De Jong, Oriol Romeu, Ilkay Gundogan and Fermin Lopez available, while there have also been suggestions he could try Raphinha in Gavi’s position.

If everyone stays fit, then Xavi has plenty of quality midfielders available and it will be interested to see how he lines his team up, starting on Saturday against Rayo.

The Barcelona boss could also dip into the club’s impressive youth reserves and try out another teenager in the first team.

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Marc Casado has been regularly spotted in first-team training, while Aleix Garrido and Unai Hernandez have also trained under Xavi since he took charge.

Those three players look the most likely to get the nod if Xavi does opt for youth, particularly as Pau Prim and Marc Bernal are at the Under-17 World Cup, and will know that an opportunity to try and find a way into the first team has presented itself.

Xavi may give more hints about his plans when he speaks to the press ahead of Barca’s clash with Rayo and certainly when he names his team for the game.

Until then - how do you think Xavi should replace Gavi for the rest of the season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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