WILL JOAO FÉLIX ENTER THE XI DE GALA?
Several alternatives! The possible XI of FC Barcelona with the arrival of Joao Félix
At FCBN we review the possible variations of what would be Xavi Hernández's ideal XI for FC Barcelona after the arrival of Joao Félix. The Portuguese can 'walk' through the attack and adapt to different schemes
The FC Barcelona has fichado to a player that, if 'explode' all his capacities, can be one of the 'cracks' more decisive in Europe. Already in the Benfica and in some stretches of the past season with Chelsea, showed to be a player that can adapt to different diagrams and whose position can go varying depending on the needs that have his team. Xavi Hernández will have to explore all the alternatives, because will have several to include to the player of 23 years in the XI ideal of the culés.
There are a lot of doubts of how could fit in the alignment, especially by what it would be necessary to sacrifice -especially- in the centre of the field. It is not a secret for anybody that, with his lights and shadows, the approach of four means has been the one who better results has given him to the Barça from does a good time. The four of the medullary back to two very marked attackers. A 4-4-2 that goes happening to 4-3-3 with Gavi like false extreme, but in which it is necessary to see how despuntaría the attacker of 23 years.
The options of Xavi with Joao Félix
Taking in account that already there is an idea of which can be the alignment of gala of the Barça in this season, with Marc-André ter Stegen low sticks, a defence of four configured by Joao Cancel in the right side, the couple of head offices of Jules Koundé and Ronald Araújo (with Andreas Christensen like alternative) and Alejandro Balde by the left, as well as a centre of the field formed by Frenkie and Jong and Oriol Romeu in the base of the played with Pedri and Gündogan more advanced, Joao Félix would remain like a leading second 'backing' to Robert Lewandowski.
In the Athletic saw him appear many times in this approach (or in a 5-3-2) and is as, in theory, could explode more his s catacterísticas. Como better exerts is when it can play between lines and has a leading centre that can fix to the central. With Simeone, saw him constantly in positions more retarded looking for associate with the midfield players (so that these give support in front of him) with carerras inner in depth. It is a form of 'distract' to the defenders and cause that his team generate more superiorities.
It does not be necessary to overlook that it is an extremely creative player and that does not hide to the hour to promote to the attack, but it is necessary to expect to see how of the paper happens to the practice in a Barça that, up to now, has seen with a fixed approach and few variations.
Acting of Lewandowski?
Another alternative is that it appear in several opportunities like leading centre. It is not a position in which it has seen him especially comfortable along his career, but yes one in which it can surrender favorablemente. It is an option, especially, to give rest to Robert Lewandowski, the one who is the most used player by Xavi Hernández, in addition to Marc-André ter Stegen. There is not a '9' acting in the staff, waiting for the arrival of Vitor Roque in 2024, and can be one of the variations that 'suffer' especially in what it subtracts of 2023.
His big mobility and capacity to associate can be the key so that it can appear in this position. It is a player that, by nature, is difficult to track for the rival defences and that is used to desmarcarse with excessive ease. After some seasons a so much (or too) turned off to level goleador, it will be necessary to see how is his gunpowder, but if there is something in what it is necessary to be very clear is that it is not an attacker that will arrive to mark 25 goals. With assistances can 'cost' much more.
Joao Félix, like extreme?
"It is a player that fits us to the one hundred by one hundred. Always it has liked us. Has natural talent, can play of '9' and by the left, can adapt also to the right. It loses very few balloons, associates . Has some wonderful conditions to triumph in the Barça", said Xavi Hernández after it confirmed the incorporation of Joao Félix, by what neither can him descartar that it appear in the left band in an offensive trident, that is the drawing that more likes to, for example, Lewandowski by the quantity of occasions of goal that can generate (upper to as when they play with four means).
The one of Viseu could appear by the left extreme and accompany to the Pole, with the another band contesting between Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Ferran Torres. Once again, in this position could stand out his capacity to associate and his insistence in looking for the finish direct to the goal as soon as possible. In any case, it is necessary to take in account that the competition in the leading will be maximum and, although it splits with the 'nickname' of star for this course, does not have a place ensured and will have to win it.
