Xavi unlikely to rest Barcelona defender in upcoming games despite excessive workload

The games are coming thick and fast for Barcelona, with the upcoming schedule not only presenting a high frequency of games; but also one enshrouded with difficulty.

Facing off against FC Porto, Atletico Madrid, and Girona, ensuring the Catalans come out unscathed will undeniably be one of the prerequisites for Xavi.

However, managing the game time of his stars during this season-defining campaign will be an arduous challenge considering the magnitude of the forthcoming encounters.

Xavi is facing a predicament

As per SPORT, Xavi faces a dilemma with Joao Cancelo. He’s the Barcelona player who has played the most recently, but with the next three matches incredibly important, rest for the Portuguese right-back is beginning to appear improbable.

Since arriving, Cancelo has not rested at all, while he continues to play a crucial role for his national team as well.

Apart from the 446 minutes the full-back has played with the Portuguese national team after signing with Barça, he has played 1,243 minutes overall for the Blaugranes.

Such regularity is bound to take its toll, and consequently, Cancelo’s performances have begun to waver lately.

Still, the fact that Cancelo is Barcelona’s only natural right-back available in the squad renders him indispensable in this crucial phase of the campaign.

The alternatives

In the event Xavi decides to rotate Cancelo in one of the upcoming matches, the team may be shaped with three central defenders instead, with one of Jules Kounde or Ronald Araujo occupying the wide centre-back role.

The recovery of Sergi Roberto or simply the deployment of one of the centre-backs in the right-back position could also provide Cancelo with a breather.

However, keeping the high level of opposition in mind, it is unlikely that the coach will stray from his most trusted set-up and end up betting on Cancelo.