When Vitor Roque arrived early at FC Barcelona in January of this year, it was expected that the Brazilian forward would compete for the starting spot in the Catalan club’s attack with the veteran Polish striker, Robert Lewandowski.
However, just over three months after his arrival, Vitor has gone from being seen as Lewandowski’s backup to being the third option in the attack for Xavi Hernández, as the homegrown player Marc Guiu would be ahead of him in the Spanish coach’s plans. According to Diario Sport, this situation could lead to Vitor Roque leaving the club on a simple loan in the summer to gain playing time in another team.
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The sports management does not rule out listening to loan offers for Vitor Roque
Since Vitor Roque first set foot in the City of Counts, Xavi Hernández has sent constant messages of “calm” and “patience” regarding the playing time of the former Athletico Paranaense player.
However, that calm has turned into desperation for a Vitor Roque who does not understand why he is not taken into account for important or secondary matches, having only two starts since his arrival at the club.
All this, coupled with the confidence that Xavi would have placed in the 18-year-old Spanish striker, Marc Guiu, could end up precipitating an early departure for Vitor on loan, as reported by Diario Sport.
Marc Guiu feels supported by Xavi Hernández
Journalist Toni Juanmartí reports in the aforementioned media that Marc Guiu feels supported by Xavi Hernández in the fight to secure the starting striker position at Barça.
Xavi’s continuity would only confirm these feelings of Guiu, who is willing to renew his contract with the club to compete with Vitor Roque for the “9” position when Lewandowski is not available.
Both Guiu and Vitor Roque would have various options to go on loan from the club in the summer. However, while Guiu is 100% focused on staying and fighting for the position, Vitor Roque himself and the management do not rule out listening to offers for the Brazilian if this discomfort over lack of playing time continues to grow.
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
The first, second and third episodes are available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel. Stay tuned for the upcoming releases as we keep telling this legend’s life story.
