Xavi Hernandez Is Planning A Position Change For Memphis Depay

Memphis Depay will not be able to play this Thursday in the first leg of the Europa League round of 32 against Napoli. The Dutchman still hasn’t recovered from the physical discomfort that has already kept him on hold for a month. The last game he played was against Real Madrid in the Super Cup on January 12.

Since then he has not trained with the group. It was speculated that he could be back against Alavés, but since then his return has been delayed. It was almost certain that he could be at the Camp Nou on Thursday, but that won’t happen since Xavi does not want to risk the striker to avoid a relapse and because at this moment Xavi has plenty of strikers to choose from after the latest signings.

The forecast for his return is in the second leg against Napoli. He will miss the game against Valencia.

What does Xavi have in store for the Dutchman?

At Barcelona, they still trust the quality of the Dutch attacker. Xavi hopes to recover the player who dazzled in his first weeks at Barcelona. Memphis raised many expectations as soon as he was signed. Barça fans were excited about the Dutchman and even more so after Leo Messi left for PSG . The international was not scared by the stripes or the situation that the institution was going through and he decided to take the ‘9’ on his back.

The season started at a high level. His gesture after the goals, covering his ears, became famous among the fans. He was even selling the most shirts. He seemed untouchable and, during the first games, he took over the leading role in the Barça attack with decisive shots, plays and goals.

But in recent games, and after the injury, his role has been fading. He missed the clashes against Osasuna, Elche, Sevilla, Mallorca and Linares and returned in Granada . Against the Andalusians he only played 29 discreet minutes and in the Super Cup, Xavi once again left him on the bench from the start. He hasn’t played for Barca since that match.

Xavi is reportedly planning to give Memphis an inside forward role. With such an array of attacking options, it is believed the Barcelona boss will use him as an alternative to Dembele instead of his usual false 9 position that he was previously playing. This is a position he is used to playing at Netherlands at times as he usually drifts on the left. Jordi Alba will have the space to overlap and connect with the forward.

Xavi, at the end of matches has also adapted the formation to a 3–2–3–2 as seen against Real Madrid as well as Espanyol. Memphis played against Madrid in that role behind the striker. This is another option Xavi can contemplate towards the end of the game when that decisive goal is needed.

As Pep Guardiola made a change with Jack Grealish’s position, Xavi also has the option of playing Depay as a number 8. Memphis is used to a free role centrally or out wide, could try him out to bring the ball out from deep. Xavi has an admiration for players who can keep the ball, and Memphis is player who can keep the ball in difficult situations. He will also win many freekicks while carrying the ball.

Don’t be surprised, anything can happen here.