New Barcelona signing Ilkay Gundogan has potentially made life easier for Xavi, as he has confirmed that he can play in a variety of roles across the midfield.
Xavi has been looking for solutions to cope with the departure of Sergio Busquets, and Barcelona look set to sign Oriol Romeu from Girona as a natural defensive midfielder.
There is a headache for Xavi, as he now has to decide what midfield shape and personnel to use out of the new signings Romeu and Gundogan, as well as Pedri, Frenkie De Jong and Gavi, but he may now be able to fit his top stars in together.
Speaking at his presentation, Gundogan confirmed that he is ready to play in a variety of roles in midfield, which could see him start as the deepest option or further forward.
“I am ready, in recent years I think I have shown that I am able to show that I can play in different roles and I think I will be able to help where they need me,” he stated.
Where will Gundogan play for Barcelona?
Given Xavi’s desire to recruit Romeo, it seems that Gundogan will typically occupy a role further forward ahead of the Spaniard, which could exploit his elite end-product which saw him score some vital goals for Manchester City last season.
However, in some games, Xavi may be tempted to use De Jong or Gavi in a box-to-box role alongside Pedri, and Gundogan could drop into the number six position to dictate the play.
It is a role which he played for City at times, but not too regularly in recent years, with Rodri proving crucial for Pep Guardiola as a deep midfielder.
Gundogan can provide Xavi with experience, quality and tactical flexibility, and he could even switch roles within games, which could essentially give Barcelona an extra option when changing tactics.