Xavi plans to use Barcelona new signing in an advanced role close to Lewandowski

Ilkay Gundogan’s acquisition is a massive coup for FC Barcelona. The former Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City midfielder has been on top of his game of late and a procurement on a free transfer is nothing but a major triumph for the team.

This way, Xavi got his first wish fulfilled as he wanted someone with experience to lead his midfield next season. With the addition of Gundogan, Barcelona have practically unlocked a complex combination.

Now, there are questions as to how Xavi will use Gundogan given that Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Gavi are all undroppable. 

But given the German’s efficiency, journalist Jordi Carne writes for SPORT that the manager is imagining him in the most advanced position. He will be closely working with Robert Lewandowski, with whom the midfielder played at Borussia Dortmund in the early part of his career.

The journalist also writes that Pedri, Gavi and de Jong will continue to have prominence in the midfield while Sergi Roberto and Franck Kessie (if he stays) will act as backups.

And if that is indeed the case, it basically denotes that Pablo Torre and Nico Gonzalez will have to go on loan to look for opportunities.

It must be noted that Gudogan has signed a contract with Barcelona until 2025, with an option to extend the deal for one more year. As part of his contract with the Blaugrana, the midfielder will have a release clause of €400 million.

Fair to say the midfielder was keen on joining Barcelona and no other team ever since winning the historic treble with Man City last season.

“If I was going to move, there is only one club in the world that made sense.  It was Barcelona or nothing. Since I was a little boy, I dreamed of wearing that shirt one day. I am confident that I have a few more years left at the highest level, and I just want to help get Barcelona back to where they deserve to be,” he wrote in his column for The Players’ Tribune.

Now that one part of the summer transfer plan is done, Barcelona will want to put their heads into generating more income via player sales and signing a pivot midfielder.