Barcelona head coach Xavi intends to shake up his squad next season, by way of shifting not one, but two members of his ranks back into their preferred roles.
The first comes in the form of Jules Koundé.
Stopper Koundé has of course spent the campaign to date lining out at right-back, with his performances over the 2nd half of the term in particular having given rise to widespread praise.
Nevertheless, though, the France international is not a natural full-back.
With Xavi eyeing reinforcements on the right side of his backline for next season, the intention, according to Mundo Deportivo, is therefore to shift Koundé back into his preferred spot at centre-half.
And the former Sevilla standout is not the only member of Barcelona’s ranks in line to be moved back into a central-defensive role in 2024/25.
The other? Andreas Christensen.
Owing to the shortcomings of summer signing Oriol Romeu in the role, Danish international Christensen has been employed at the base of the Blaugrana’s midfield for some time now.
And the 28-year-old, to his credit, has largely impressed, proving himself a steady and reliable presence in the middle of the park.
With the signing of a new pivot at the very top of Xavi’s wishlist for next season, however, Diario Sport ensure that Barca’s headmaster ‘wants Christensen as a centre-back next season’.
Conor Laird | GSFN
