Xavi Hernandez – ‘If I have to drop Robert Lewandowski for Vitor Roque, I will’

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has claimed nobody is immune to being dropped to the bench, including star striker Robert Lewandowski. The veteran Polish striker has come in for plenty of criticism this season, with both his build-up play and his form in front of goal suffering. While he remains the top scorer for Barcelona, he has contributed just three goals since September.

After Xavi reportedly called out Lewandowski during their last match of the year at half-time, he was asked whether he would be willing to drop the 35-year-old for new signing Vitor Roque – hypothetically.

“It has already happened… I’ve already done it. I cannot treat one footballer differently than another, otherwise the group will not work well. The example is the last match between the two halves. We’re not talking about anything new here.”

He also confirmed that Roque could play with Lewandowski too, and played down his half-time outburst.

“If Vitor can adapt to any position in the attack. As for the fight, perhaps it has been given more significance, it was something more group”