Xavi Hernandez has some decisions to make ahead of Barcelona's game against Atletico Madrid tomorrow at the Camp Nou.
After a fruitful winter transfer window, Xavi has a number of attackers to call upon for the important LaLiga Santander fixture after being limited due to injuries across the first team squad.
Who do Barcelona have available in attack for Atleti?
Following a flurry of arrivals towards the end of January, Barcelona have a number of quality attacking options to choose from to make a trident of attack.
For the game against Atleti, Xavi has the following attackers available to select: Martin Braithwaite, Luuk de Jong, Abde Ezzalzouli, Ferran Jutgla, Adama Traore, Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ousmane Dembele. And interestingly, he has named all of them in the squad for the game.
Memphis Depay and Ansu Fati remain unavailable due to injuries.
Too soon for Aubameyang?
New-signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is someone who can definitely score decisive goals on a regular basis and can be relied upon once fully match fit.
However, given the situation that he had towards the end of his time at Arsenal, he was left out of the squad for a number of weeks, meaning that he is unlikely to start against Atleti despite being in the squad.
The Gabon striker last made an appearance back on December 6 in a Premier League game against Everton at Goodison Park.
Given this, Xavi may rely on youth in Abde and Jutgla until Aubameyang is fully up to speed and ready to make his mark at his new club.
The case for Dembele
Ousmane Dembele has been subject to a lot of attention in recent months due to his decision not to renew his contract with Barcelona, ahead of its expiry in summer.
After handling the contract discussions in a rather poor manner, president Joan Laporta has made it clear that he does not wish for the world cup winner to feature again for Barcelona.
However, Xavi has named Dembele in the squad and could even feature against Los Rojiblancos.
Beueikpst
2
Start with a goals scorer u are talking abt a guy that win a lot of trophies for arsenal.
lipblmnpy
4
LovChar
0
Why is auba unlikely to start simply because of the arsenal situation ? I feel it’s too early to start him but how can it be because of his past? Is there a rule enforcing that?
nice question
HABUAHMAD
1
what ever the case we want win
Yutacmsz
0
That's the best line up
riciklmnos
0
Maybe maybe not. We have to break that injury curse perpetually. Maybe it’s now
if we have enough players even injury can't stop us barca for life
Insight
0
now it's time for Barcelona
Maybe maybe not. We have to break that injury curse perpetually. Maybe it’s now
Insight
0
Why is auba unlikely to start simply because of the arsenal situation ? I feel it’s too early to start him but how can it be because of his past? Is there a rule enforcing that?
SubhodeepRouth
1
No more excuses, Xavi has a team now
Wait till the summer transfer window. then you can say the same
riciklmnos
2
now it's time for Barcelona
kelvinapple
3
QwekuPrinceDuodu
4
“Xavi’s cast attacking options..” but how to link or pair them to suit a perfect dangerous attacking forward.
omar_sharif
3
No more excuses, Xavi has a team now
No good defense. So one more season and we'll see but we all believe in Xavi
fr0zen_shadow10
2
with new board also they are signing attackers instead of strengthening the defense
mukeirz
5
No more excuses, Xavi has a team now
zedabcdnpz
0
Xavi should also give a playing time to Luquipuei!
zedabcdnpz
2
Manager coach Xavi should take time how to do changes sometimes because we have quality players to make the team improved.