Xavi Hernandez faced significant criticism last season at Barcelona, particularly for his handling of young Brazilian striker Vitor Roque. Roque joined the club last January, brought in by Deco, who viewed him as one of Brazil’s most promising talents with a keen goal-scoring instinct.
However, Xavi’s decision to give Roque minimal playing time raised eyebrows and drew backlash from fans and media alike. Critics questioned why the young striker, considered a major talent, was largely left out of Barcelona’s lineup.
Following Xavi’s departure, Barcelona appointed Hansi Flick as head coach, who, along with the club, decided to loan Roque to Real Betis. The aim was for him to gain experience and playing time under Manuel Pellegrini, which could help him develop his skills in a competitive yet less intense environment.
The loan arrangement hoped to provide Roque with opportunities to shine in La Liga without the pressures associated with playing at Barcelona.
Despite this, Roque’s performance at Betis has been disappointing. He has struggled to adapt, showing inconsistency on the field, making poor decisions in the penalty area, and failing to convert clear chances.
This lackluster display has frustrated Pellegrini and his staff, who expected more from the young forward. As a result, Roque has not secured a consistent starting role at Betis, casting doubts on his future potential.
According to Spanish media outlet El Nacional, Hansi Flick has no intention of recalling Roque to Barcelona, indicating that he aligns with Xavi’s previous assessment of the player.
This viewpoint has led some within Barcelona’s management to question whether the investment in Roque was premature. With his limited progress during the loan spell at Betis, discussions are growing within the club about the possibility of a permanent transfer.
Ultimately, it appears that Xavi’s cautious approach regarding Roque may have been justified. The initial high expectations surrounding the Brazilian forward have been dampened by his struggles in Spain, suggesting that his journey with Barcelona could come to a close.
This turn of events serves to validate Xavi’s initial reservations about the young striker and suggests that Barcelona may look to cut their losses rather than reintegrate him into their squad.
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