Xavi wants more minutes for Pablo Torre.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has admitted that summer signing Pablo Torre is in a “difficult situation” at the club after struggling for game time so far in 2022-23.
Torre joined the club from Racing Santander on a four-year deal and has already been linked with an exit. The youngster has only made one substitute appearance and faces stiff competition for a place.
Xavi spoke about the 19-year-old at a press conference ahead of Sunday’s clash against Athletic and said he wants the midfielder to play more but it’s difficult given the other options he has available.
“The other day [against Villarreal] I wanted to make him play a few minutes, but there were physical discomforts, injury prevention situations, which forced us to make changes at 3-0,” he explained. “It was a good time for him to come out and show that he is training well, but there is competition and sometimes we decide to put other players in that position. It’s a difficult situation for him, but it’s a matter of patience. He’s training well and I’m sure his time will come.”
Torre is battling with Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi, and Franck Kessie for minutes and may have to get used to life on the bench. The youngster made one start for Barca Atletic during the international break but Xavi has preferred to keep him with the first-team squad rather than let him drop back down to Rafa Marquez’s reserves.
[Source: heavy.com]