FC Barcelona Has A New ‘Untouchable’ Midfielder, According To SPORT

An FC Barcelona midfielder has achieved “untouchable” status in the eyes of head coach Xavi Hernandez according to SPORT.

Xavi and his men are currently reeling from losing star player Gavi for the rest of the season after the 19-year-old pulled up injured for Spain during a Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia last weekend.

The Spanish Football Federation immediately feared the worst as the boisterous La Masia product limped off the field in tears, and tests later confirmed that they had every right to do so.

As a tear to the ACL in his right knee was confirmed, Gavi was ruled out for the rest of 2023/2024 and will no longer play any part in Barca’s defense of the La Liga title, their quest to reach the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in three years, nor the Euros for the national team in Germany next summer.

Gavi could be out for anything up to eight months. Yet despite the club receiving special permission to do so, Xavi confirmed on Friday that there is thus far no news regarding the signing of a replacement either on loan or a permanent basis.

This would suggest that the cash-strapped Catalans prefer to look in-house for someone to stand in for Gavi, as Xavi probably opts for Pedri and Ilkay Gundogan to pair up in attacking midfield while Frenkie de Jong act as a pivot in a midfield three.

On occasions that one of those men is unavailable or needs to be rested, however, Fermin could step up as he did excellently alongside Gundogan and Gavi in El Clasico, where he played a part in the German’s opening goal and also hit the post in the eventual 2-1 loss.

Recalled from a loan spell at Linares last term, Fermin has more than taken advantage of the chances to impress which have been handed to him by Xavi.

Scoring a screamer against Los Blancos in a Dallas preseason friendly, Gavi’s close friend and fellow Andalusian has performed well when given the nod and is now considered “untouchable” by Xavi according to SPORT.

The manager is reportedly happy with how Lopez is training and progressing on his watch, and he is now considered a first-team player though currently registered with the Barca Athletic reserve outfit.

With a contract renewal until 2028 penned in late October, the 20-year-old’s immediate future in Catalonia is also secure.