Roberto expected to follow Xavi out of Barca

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The captain is in the final year of his current contract

Barcelona captain Sergi Roberto is expected to follow manager Xavi out of the club at the end of the season.

Roberto is into the final year of his current contract at the club, and Xavi has said publicly he wants Barcelona to renew his existing deal.

Yet Diario AS reckon the club have “no intention” of renewing Roberto’s contract, meaning he is expected to leave on a free transfer.

Roberto has also played down talk of an exit - saying in December he has Xavi’s “confidence” - but the coach’s decision to leave is likely to spell bad news for the veteran.

The captain has previously revealed he would like to play in the United States before hanging up his boots and this summer may see him granted his wish.

Roberto has already seen Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez, Riqui Puig and Lionel Messi head to MLS and could be the next Barca star to head to the United States.

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Michel reacts to talk he could replace Xavi at Barcelona

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The coach has spoken out

Girona boss Michel has played down talk he could replace Xavi at the helm of Barcelona.

The coach has led his team to the top of the table this season, and there’s already been speculation he’s wanted at the Camp Nou.

Michel has been asked about the rumors once again and made it pretty clear he’s not thinking about a move right now.

“I am focused on Girona. Xavi is the person who knows FC Barcelona best. I have a contract until 2026, so nada. Xavi is Barça,” he said.

It remains to be seen who will replace Xavi at Barcelona once he steps down at the end of the season, but the club do have plenty of time to find a replacement.

The rumor mill has already claimed Jurgen Klopp, Roberto De Zerbi, Rafa Marquez and Thiago Motta and Imanol Alguacil are candidates to take over the Barcelona hotseat.

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Cancelo says he was a ‘disaster’ for Barca against Villarreal

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The defender was back from injury

Joao Cancelo was not at all happy with his performance after returning from injury on Saturday as Barcelona were embarrassed 5-3 at home by Villarreal.

The Portugal international hasn’t played since the start of the month but came on at half-time with Barca trailing.

Xavi’s side did manage to turn things around, and led 3-2 at one point, but went on to capitulate in an awful defensive showing.

Here’s what Cancelo said afterwards:

“We managed the most difficult thing to come back, but we conceded three more goals,” he said.

“The fault is ours alone. I’m speaking about myself. It was a disaster. They’ve been the worst 45 minutes of my career.

“Tomorrow we train because the sun always appears and the good thing about football is that on Wednesday we have another game and hopefully we get the three points.”

Barcelona’s defense was an absolute mess once again. The Catalans shipped five goals at home in La Liga for the first time since 1963.

Xavi’s side have now conceded 29 goals in La Liga so far this season - more than double Real Madrid’s tally of 14.

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‘You can’t say no’ - Marquez would be happy to replace Xavi

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Could he be the next boss?

Rafa Marquez has made it pretty clear he’d be happy to take over from Xavi at Barcelona when the first-team coach steps down at the end of the season.

The Mexican currently manages Barca Atletic but was asked about changing jobs after his team’s 2-1 win over Fuenlabrada on Saturday night.

“It is a shame that the first team has had this defeat. I think the board will have time to think about it well, between now and the end of the season, to choose the coach they decide, it is in their hands,” he said.

“I will continue preparing, obviously, I am very happy with the work I am doing with the boys.”

Marquez was then asked if he would like to be Barca boss and certainly wasn’t coy with his response.

“Who wouldn’t, right? But the most important thing is to continue preparing because it is my second season as a coach here. Prepare in case that moment comes,” he added.

“You can’t say no to an opportunity like this. And if it comes, I will try to be available and try to do my best.”

The Mexican has previously been mentioned as a replacement if Xavi were to go halfway through the season, but it’s not clear if Barca are interested in him taking over on a long-term basis.

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Gavi is first Barca player to react to Xavi’s departure

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The midfielder posted on social media

Barcelona midfielder Gavi may be out injured but he’s not missing a second of what’s going on at the club.

The midfielder was the first player to respond to news of Xavi’s impending departure from the club in the summer.

Xavi shocked most of us by confirming he’s going to step down in the wake of Barcelona’s 5-3 defeat to Villarreal on Saturday.

Gavi took to social media with a brief message for his boss and a picture of the two together. “With you until the end, mister,” he wrote on Instagram.

Gavi is not due to return until next season which means there should be a new manager in place by the team he’s fit and available.

The teenager’s absence has been keenly felt by Barcelona since he was ruled out with an ACL injury and has absence has certainly contributed to the team’s underwhelming recent form.

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Who will replace Xavi at Barcelona?

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What next for the Catalans?

Barcelona are on the hunt for a new manager once again after Xavi confirmed after Saturday’s defeat to Villarreal that he’s leaving at the end of the season.

Xavi will go after two and a bit seasons in charge of the club where he shone as a player and won everything going.

The former midfielder went on to win the Spanish Super Cup and La Liga as a manager, although he’s likely to finish this season empty-handed.

The big question now is where do Barca go from here? And, more importantly, who will manage the club next season.

Of course the rumor mill will now get promptly to work. Rafa Marquez and Thiago Motta have already been mentioned. Expect Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho’s names to crop up shortly too.

But who do you want to be the next Barca manager? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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Barça squad named for Villarreal

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Xavi Hernández has called up 21 players for Saturday’s clash

The next Barcelona match is upon us! The Blaugrana play their first home game of 2024 as they welcome Villarreal for a big La Liga encounter at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium, and Xavi Hernández has called up the following 21 players for Saturday’s clash:

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Goalkeepers: 13. Iñaki Peña, 26. Ander Astralaga, 31. Diego Kochen

Defenders: 2. João Cancelo, 4. Ronald Araujo, 15. Andreas Christensen, 23. Jules Kounde, 33. Pau Cubarsí, 39. Héctor Fort

Midfielders: 8. Pedri, 18. Oriol Romeu, 21. Frenkie de Jong, 22. Ilkay Gündogan, 30. Marc Casadó, 32. Fermín López

Forwards: 7. Ferran Torres, 9. Robert Lewandowski, 14. João Félix, 19. Vitor Roque, 27. Lamine Yamal, 38. Marc Guiu

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Barça lost yet another key piece of the team due to injury as Alejandro Balde (hamstring) is facing the prospect of season-ending surgery, joining Iñigo Martínez (hamstring), Raphinha (hamstring), Marcos Alonso (back) and Gavi (knee) on the list of long-term absences. Sergi Roberto is also out for this one with an Achilles issue, and Marc-André ter Stegen (back) has returned to training but is not yet medically cleared to come back to the matchday squad.

Predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1):

Peña; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsí, Cancelo; Gündogan, De Jong; Yamal, Pedri, Félix; Lewandowski

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The match kicks off at 6.30pm CET/WAT (Barcelona & Nigeria), 5.30pm GMT (UK), 12.30pm ET, 9.30am PT (USA), 11pm IST (India), and you can join us to follow and comment all the action.

VISCA EL BARÇA!

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