Xavi entrusts versatile 19-year-old Barcelona academy ace

FC Barcelona’s La Liga EA Sports 2023/2024 encounter versus Cadiz will be a reminder of their two major player losses.

Barcelona will miss 24-year-old Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo and 26-year-old Brazilian winger Raphinha due to injury and suspension, respectively, against Cadiz.

According to Spanish publication SPORT, 19-year-old La Masia kid Marc Casado continues to impress Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez, who lauded him in a previous press conference.

Primarily a midfielder with the technical skills to thrive as an interior and strong positional and game awareness, which Xavi likes, as well as the versatility to play as a right-back when needed.

After Xavi consistently included him in the Barcelona first team plans since last season, and he also played in the UEFA Champions League against Viktoria Plzen, the player may become even more important to the first team this season, resulting in fewer appearances for Rafa Marquez’s Barcelona Atletic.

While he is practically the antithesis of Ronald Araujo’s physical presence, Xavi might play him at right-back for a more technical approach if he thinks it’s needed.

It is possible that he may make his first-team league debut for Barcelona against Cadiz on matchday two of their 2023/2024 La Liga campaign at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium.