Xavi calls up Navarro for training after losing Alonso to injury

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Could the teenager get a chance soon?

Xavi Hernandez called up 16-year-old left-back Albert Navarro for training on Monday after losing Marcos Alonso to injury.

Alonso will undergo surgery on his injury and is expected to be out for a little while, meaning Navarro could potentially get some first-team minutes.

It’s not the first time that Navarro has been called up for Xavi, but the boss is clearly keen to keep monitoring the teenager after seeing Alonso sidelined.

First of the Year ✅ pic.twitter.com/9zBGFp7CdU

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 1, 2024

Navarro is part of Barca’s Juvenil A side but has been training regularly with Barca Atletic, although he is yet to debut for Rafa Marquez’s side.

He has, however, played in the UEFA Youth League and scored a fine free-kick against Shakhtar Donetsk in a 3-0 win in November.

El Juvenil blaugrana d’Óscar López certifica la classificació a vuitens de la UEFA Youth League gràcies als gols de Nil Calderó, Dani Rodríguez i aquest golàs de falta d’Albert Navarro en un partit ple de joves talents.pic.twitter.com/6XRlzTQ1zd

— Oriol Domènech Martí (@Orioldomenech_) November 7, 2023

Alonso hasn’t played much for Barcelona this season, making just seven appearances in all competitions and could potentially leave on a free transfer this summer.

Alejandro Balde seems to still be Xavi’s first choice left-back as things stand, although Joao Cancelo has been preferred in the position at times this season.

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FC Barcelona News: 2 January 2024

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A round-up of the latest Barcelona news and rumors

First training session of 2024 - FC Barcelona
2024 began with an evening workout at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper as the Barça squad continue working towards the trip to the Canary islands to face Las Palmas on Thursday at 9.30pm CET.

At least six games during a high-octane January - FC Barcelona
Dreams intact as Barça start 2024 with a lot to look forward to. The Copa del Rey begins, there is the defence of the Spanish Super Cup title, plus the LaLiga title is up for grabs. January sees the challenges come thick and fast for the blaugranas.

FC Barcelona's starts to the year this century - FC Barcelona
It's always good to start the new year with a win, and that's what Barça will be trying to do when they go to the Estadio Gran Canaria this Thursday to take on UD Las Palmas, a team that's been getting some decent results so far this season. And with seven points separating them from the top two teams in La Liga, a win is more important than ever right now.

Five dates for your diary for 2024 - FC Barcelona
The New Year is here and 2024 sees plenty of challenges ahead for the blaugranes both for club and country. We take a look at what the coming year has in store for Barça.

Frenkie de Jong keen to remain at Barcelona - 'I'm at the club of my dreams' - Football España
Barcelona had considered the sale of Frenkie de Jong as the key to resolving their financial issues two seasons ago, but these days he is an essential part of their midfield. The Dutch midfielder has confirmed that he has unfinished business in Catalonia.

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Barcelona to sue Libero over non-payment of €40m

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The club will take legal action

Barcelona are reportedly set to sue German investment firm Libero over the non-payment of 40 million euros for a 10% stake in Barca Vision.

The original payment was due in August but didn’t arrive. Barca set a new target date of the end of the year but the missing millions still haven’t turned up.

L’Esportiu now report that Barca will take legal action against the firm, while also trying to find another buyer who will take up the stake.

Barca’s financial issues have already been well-documented, but it’s thought the non-payment will cause more issues for Joan Laporta and Co.

The club had planned to use the financial injection to register some new player contracts and potentially bring in a new midfielder in the January window.

It’s previously been reported that the club may have to sell players if the cash injection doesn’t arrive and new funding cannot be found.

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Julian Araujo to miss Barca clash due to ‘fear clause’

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The defender will have to sit this one out

Julian Araujo has been enjoying life on loan at Las Palmas after his move from Barcelona but will miss the meeting between the two teams on January 4.

The Mexico international can’t play against his parent club as Barca inserted an infamous “fear clause” into his contract, according to Mundo Deportivo.

It’s not the first time this season this kind of issue has cropped up. Eric Garcia was able to play against Barca for Girona because he didn’t have a clause but Pablo Torre couldn’t.

Alberto Moleiro, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona, may also miss the game due to a collarbone injury sustained against Cadiz before Christmas.

Coach Garcia Pimienta has already admitted he’s looking forward to taking on his former club Barcelona in what will be both teams’ first game of 2024.

Las Palmas head into the match with a poor recent record against the Catalans. They have not won in any of their last 14 matches against Barcelona in La Liga, drawing five and losing nine.

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Xavi planning ‘substantial changes’ against Las Palmas

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The coach will freshen up his team

Barcelona coach Xavi is reportedly planning “substantial changes” to his team for the first game of 2024 against Las Palmas in La Liga.

The Catalans finished last year in pretty poor form which has led the boss to think about making some tweaks to his team for their next match, according to Diario AS.

Joao Felix could be the biggest casualty. The report reckons there’s a good chance he’ll be dropped after being hauled off at half-time against Almeria.

Ferran Torres could get the nod on the left of the attack instead, with Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha also starting.

Captain Sergi Roberto is being tipped to continue in midfield after he scored a late winner against Almeria.

Frenkie de Jong will return to the line-up, after missing the game against Almeria due to suspension, while Ilkay Gundogan should complete the midfield.

And what of Vitor Roque? AS reckon he will get some minutes in his new No. 19 shirt after completing his move from Athletico Paranaense.

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De Jong: I’m not yet the player I want to be

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The midfielder has vowed to improve

Frenkie de Jong has once again outlined his commitment to Barcelona and says he still has much to improve on as he looks forward to 2024.

The Dutchman has been regularly linked with a move away from Xavi’s side but has always made it clear he has no intention of going anywhere.

De Jong maintains that he’s at his dream club and says he wants to add more titles to the league trophy he picked up last season with Xavi’s side.

“I am at the club where I always wanted to be, where I dreamed of,” he said.

“I have not yet won the trophies I want to win and I am not yet the player I want to be. There is still room for improvement and I still have time, but I would like to get there as quickly as possible.

“You can be decisive in different ways. Being decisive is often linked to goals and assists. This is different for my position. I want to be important in a different way. I can still make progress in that regard and I am not yet where I want to be.”

Source | NOS

Barcelona will look to De Jong for inspiration again in 2024, with the Dutchman already a key player for Xavi and having been named the team’s fourth captain this season.

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FC Barcelona News: 1 January 2024; Happy New Year!

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A round-up of the latest Barcelona news and rumors

Last training session of the year - FC Barcelona
Like everyone else around the world, Xavi Hernández and his players are ready to say goodbye to 2023, but before the bottles of champagne can come out, there was training as usual, with a Liga game against Las Palmas coming up on January 4, followed by a Copa del Rey encounter with Barbastro.

Marcos Alonso to undergo surgery - FC Barcelona
Next week, Marcos Alonso is to undergo surgery on the problems in the lumbar region of his back that have kept him sidelined in recent weeks. The club will be making an announcement immediately after to report on how the operation has gone.

Vitor Roque, the latest Brazilian striker - FC Barcelona
Vitor Roque has arrived at FC Barcelona. The 18-year-old is one of the most talked about rising talents in South American football, and although he still has a lot to prove, many believe that he could be one of the biggest names at the club for the next decade or so. If so, it would be nothing new at FC Barcelona, a club that has witnessed the boom of so many fabulous Brazilian strikers over the years.

Barcelona to sue Libero after failing to receive €40m payment as part of Barca Visions agreement - Football España
Barcelona have had to deal with their fair share of legal cases over the course of 2023, and they will soon be taking part in another against a company that they had intended to enter into business with.

Barca TV to return in 2024 as Barcelona President Joan Laporta makes moves to restart channel - Football España
At the end of June, Barca TV was shut down by Barcelona President Joan Laporta. The club’s ongoing financial problems caused the channel to be significantly cut back, before the decision was taken for it to lose altogether.

Lamine Yamal worrying Barcelona as enormous pressure takes its toll on 16-year-old winger - Football España
Lamine Yamal’s rise to stardom has been almost stratospheric over the last six months. The 16-year-old become Barcelona’s youngest ever player last season, and in the current campaign, he has established himself as a regular member of Xavi Hernandez’s first team squad.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery will not allow Clément Lenglet to leave in January - Football España
Clement Lenglet’s future had been the subject of speculation over the last few weeks, with the Barcelona defender having struggled for minutes outside of the Europa Conference League at loan club Aston Villa.

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