Sergi Roberto's previous contract was going to end last season. Barcelona initially looked reluctant to renew, while Roberto was on the contrary.
However, the contract was renewed for one more year after Xavi's desire and Roberto's agreement to a reported 60% pay cut.
At first, it looked like Xavi would look to use Roberto in the midfield or the newly invented inverted fullback, two roles which match his profile.
But from what transpired at the beginning of the season, it certainly doesn't seem to be the case now.
Barcelona has been playing Joules Kounde in the right-back position for the past two games. He did not feature in the first two because he wasn't registered yet.
Even then, it was Araujo who played at the right-back position. It should be noted that Sergino Dest was not even a part of the match-day squad all this time.
Another right-back from the last season, Dani Alves, was not renewed. Dest is also loaned out to AC Milan.
So, there is no natural right-back in the squad. Yet Xavi prefers two centre-backs to play in this position rather than Roberto.
Now that Barcelona has acquired Bellerin, the chances for Roberto look slimmer.
It is hard to see how he gets a place there if we talk about midfield. Xavi's preferred midfield 3 is Pedri-Gavi-Busquests.
Apart from that, Barcelona has the likes of Frenkie De Jong, Miralem Pjanic, Franck Kessie and Pablo Torre in the stock, who impressed Xavi.
There were rumours that Pjanic or Frenkie might leave. But that would have been only to give space for Bernardo Silva. Therefore, it would not have helped Roberto's cause much.
Here comes the question. Roberto seems to have no place in the midfield. Xavi doesn't trust him as much as others for the right-back spot. Then why was he renewed?
Why add 5 million Euros to the wage bill when they could have gotten rid of it?
This season, clearing wage bills has been Barcelona's No.1 vision and mission. Why they let go of the chance to clear 12 million of the books is something not understandable.
At the same time, it is rumoured that Barcelona wanted to sign Meunier to bolster the right-back position, which couldn't be materialised eventually.
As it looks, the 5 million used at Roberto would have helped here had he not been renewed.
As Roberto is meant to stay with the team for a year, Barcelona fans can only hope he'll be of good use.
