Barcelona defender at risk of missing Las Palmas clash if booked against Almeria

What appeared to be a mighty squad ahead of the season has soon fizzled down for Barcelona. With recurring injuries to players across the field, Xavi has rarely ever had a completely fit squad available at his disposal.

The challenge of suspensions only adds to that spot of bother. For instance. Frenkie de Jong’s absence for tonight’s clash against Almeria leaves the manager with few viable options considering that both Gavi and Pedri are injured.

A player on the brink of suspension

Now, Barcelona right-back Joao Cancelo finds himself at a similar crossroads.

With four yellow cards already under his belt in La Liga, the latest of which he received against Valencia at the weekend, the Portuguese defender is just one booking away from suspension.

If he sees yellow in tonight’s clash against Almeria, he will thus miss the team’s first game after the restart against Las Palmas.

Needless to say, Xavi would prefer to get done with Cancelo’s suspension before the calendar brings the likes of Real Betis, Villarreal, and Osasuna on the agenda later in January.

King of flexibility

Cancelo was signed as Barcelona’s solution to the void they had at right-back. He has done a phenomenal job in covering the position, but recent games have seeded an alternative idea in Xavi’s mind.

Playing against Porto and Atletico Madrid at left-back, the Portuguese star did a phenomenal job and exceeded all expectations.

His rise to prominence at left-back had briefly pushed Alejandro Balde to the bench, but one cannot deny that Cancelo has shown more promise in the position.

It thus remains to be seen how the manager opts to use the on-loan defender for the rest of the season. After all, he is Barcelona’s only right-back option and best left-back option at the same time.