FC Barcelona faces Granada this weekend, and although they currently only have two attackers for this match, it is possible that they will receive reinforcements.
Young striker Marc Guiu could be recovered in time, but Sport reports that Brazilian Raphinha will also be back on Sunday. Full-back Joao Cancelo, released at half-time in the match against Alaves, should also be operational.
After missing a month of competition due to a hamstring problem, for the second time this season, Raphinha will return to the field knowing the pressure is on. This season he was expected to take over the right-back position following the departure of Ousmane Dembele, but so far the only certainty is that Lamine Yamal will occupy that position in the near future. The management team appreciates Raphinha and understands that his injuries were untimely, but reality sets in at FC Barcelona.
A valuable asset
He has still scored four goals and provided seven assists in 20 appearances this season, which is a good number, but heading into a summer where FC Barcelona will have to make several important sales, he is considered an element that the Blaugrana can do without. In reality, he has four months to prove he is too good to pass up this summer, as the Catalan club prepare to take advantage of interest from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
Despite good production in his two seasons and hard work, Raphinha’s inconsistent performances and decision-making made it difficult to judge his importance to FC Barcelona. One of the central defenders is likely to leave, but unless a midfielder is sold, Raphinha is perhaps the most valuable asset on the market that Barca could part with.
