Barcelona starlet Vitor Roque dominated the headlines for the first time since joining the Catalan giants on Monday morning, but not for his exploits on the pitch, but his agent’s statements off it. Amid talk of a loan move this summer, Andre Cury declared that Roque would either be sold this summer, or receive more minutes.
The 19-year-old Brazilian was signed for €30m pluys €31m in variables in January, but has seen just 310 minutes of action, and did not feature in crunch matches against Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid or Girona. Barcelona Sporting Director Deco is set to discuss the matter with Cury in the coming weeks, but Matteo Moretto has told Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing that the club are asking for calm on his part, as they try to establish the best course of action.
🚨 Barca are PUSHING to sign Xavi Simons on loan! @FabrizioRomano 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/vHEQKgyuYO
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) May 10, 2024
Regardless of Cury’s comments, Xavi has not wavered in his view of Roque. He does not see the teenager as ready to compete for a starting spot in the side, and nor does he see him as a clear alternative to Robert Lewandowski or others up front as things stand.
Barcelona have four games remaining this season, and while they are still competing for second spot and qualification for the Spanish Supercup next season, Xavi’s use of Roque will remain under the microscope until the end of the season. If Roque continues to warm the bench, then it seems there will be enough ammunition for a departure, be it on loan or on a permanent deal.
Andre Cury doesn’t make the rules at Barca.
Vitor Roque is behind Robert Lewandowski as Barca’s number 9, for heaven’s sake. The youngsters that are getting big minutes at Barca came though the academy and have had time to adapt and learn. Roque is going to get his minutes. People (including Cury) need to calm down, lol.
Hello illiterate idiot.
You are indeed dumb as dirt.
Both sides are right. But the question begs why Barca pushed to bring Roque in the winter? The obvious answer is the disconnect between Xavi and Deco. I for one fail to see what recommends Deco for this job, he was an ok player but that’s pretty much it. The management is a mess at Barca and this reflects on the pitch. We are facing years of bitting the ground.
The obvious answer is that they wanted him to start training with the first team as soon as possible in order to give him time to assimilate and learn. He’s got a ton of talent, but he needs to learn the Barca way. Folks have been fooled into thinking that youngsters should be able to step in right away and make a difference, forgetting that the ones doing that now have spent years at the academy learning and growing. Vitor Roque is 18 years old, has never played in Europe and is behind Robert Lewandowski at the 9.
Perspective, people.
good youngsters do deliver immediately (Vinicius Jr)
bad don’t (Roque)
dumb as usual