Barcelona faces a dilemma. The club is allowed to register three new players for the knockout phase of the Europa League according to UEFA regulations, but has signed four signings this month. The Spanish newspapers are currently speculating about the player who will be left out. marca thinks he knows Dani Alves will be the unlucky one, but ASH suspects that the choice falls on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Clubs have until Wednesday evening to submit their selection for the resumption of European tournaments.
At the beginning of January, Alves and Ferran Torres were already added to the Barcelona squad, while los Azulgrana strengthened themselves in the final phase of the transfer window with Adama Traoré and Aubameyang. The latter’s arrival has yet to be officially confirmed, but Arsenal already announced on Tuesday evening that Aubameyang has left London ‘by mutual consent’. Article 46.01 of the UEFA regulations stipulates that only three new players may be registered for the remainder of the European season, the Europa League in the case of Barcelona.
“At the moment, Aubameyang is the only one of the four who has not yet been registered for LaLiga, but it would be strange if the number 9 so desired by Xavi was banned from European football,” it wrote. Sport Tuesday. According to marca there is only one conclusion possible: 38-year-old Alves falls by the wayside. The main reason that is put forward is the relatively broad occupation of the right-back position. Alves already has competition from Sergiño Dest, while centre-backs Óscar Mingueza and Ronald Araújo have also been lined up as right-back several times this season. In addition, Sergi Roberto is expected back in March after his hamstring injury.
“The physical aspect also plays a role. Alves is 38 years old and can no longer play every game. Xavi realizes that, so the Europa League games can be a perfect time to give him some rest,” the Madrid newspaper reasons. Ferran is considered ‘inviolable’ because of his transfer fee of 55 million euros and the same can be said about Aubameyang, ‘because Xavi wanted to bring in a striker before the transfer window’. “Adama Traoré will also be registered, because he is the winger the coach needs. It will be difficult to get Ousmane Dembele back to the squad after he did not leave in the winter. Without the Frenchman, Xavi needs a real winger.”
ASH is, however, of a different opinion. The newspaper writes that it is ‘very difficult’ to imagine that Alves is being victimized. “The right wing is a problem in the team. It does not appear that Sergiño Dest and Óscar Mingueza have managed to convince Xavi,” they write. According to ASH The choice will be between Traore and Aubameyang. With wingers Ferran Jutglà and Ez Abde not registered for European football this season, the newspaper is giving Traoré the benefit of the doubt; After all, Aubameyang is primarily a striker. “In addition, Aubameyang has been brought in for 18 months, so he has more time and space than Traore, who is only on loan until the summer and needs more games to show his potential.” Furthermore, Xavi also has players such as Memphis Depay, Luuk de Jong, Martin Braithwaite and Ferran available for the number 9 position, the newspaper sums up.