Oriol Romeu’s situation at Barcelona has this evening taken another turn for the worse.
The name of midfielder Romeu has of course taken its place centre stage in the chatter in Catalunya’s capital over the course of recent weeks.
This comes with the former Southampton man, following an impressive start to life in Barcelona’s colours, having since seen his form fall off the side of a cliff.
Romeu was directly at fault for Barca’s Champions League defeat at the hands of Royal Antwerp last week, with speculation having since begun to mount in the media that he could in turn be moved on this winter, just six months on from his Blaugrana switch.
Boss Xavi has been quick to jump to Romeu’s defence, adamant that the 32-year-old boasts the required level to make a positive impact for his side.
If the latest actions on the part of Barca’s boss are anything to go by, however, then his opinion may finally have been swayed.
The Catalans are primed to return to action in short order, when they play host to bottom of the table Almería in a La Liga clash.
With both Gavi and Pedri sidelined, and Frenkie de Jong suspended, the widespread assumption was therefore that Romeu would be afforded his latest chance to get things back on track on Wednesday.
Xavi, however, has instead opted for a midfield three of İlkay Gündoğan, Sergi Roberto, and youngster Fermín López.
Could this spell the beginning of the end for Oriol Romeu at Barcelona?
Conor Laird | GSFN
