Xavi indicates ‘100 per cent’ De Jong could start in defence on Barca return

Xavi revealed Frenkie de Jong could start in defence on his return from injury when Barcelona welcome Celta Vigo in LaLiga.

The Blaugrana are aiming to remain at the LaLiga summit as they seek a response from the midweek Champions League defeat by Inter.

De Jong is back in the squad having missed his side’s last two matches after sustaining a thigh injury while on international duty with the Netherlands last month.

Though he did not confirm the midfielder would start at Camp Nou, Xavi indicated he could fill in at centre-half in the absence of the likes of Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen.

When asked about De Jong at his pre-match press conference, the head coach said: “He’s 100 per cent. We’ll see what we decide tomorrow.

“Frenkie can play centre-back, we’ve already tried it. He is powerful and fast, but there are other alternatives. There is versatility in the dressing room.

One of those alternatives could be 19-year-old Chadi Riad, who would make his senior Barca debut should he feature against Vigo.

“We know him from last year and the pre-season,” Xavi said. “He is aggressive, with good output … he has a future. We follow him. He can prove things, he can become important.”

Xavi also urged his players to lend leading marksman Robert Lewandowski a hand on the goalscoring front. 

The Poland skipper has scored nine of their 19 goals in LaLiga this term, with his nearest challengers Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele both netting just twice apiece thus far.

“We have to improve the goals without him,” the head coach observed. “And also improve fouls, shoot from outside the area… everyone must contribute goals. We have to improve the scoring ability of those at the top.

“We need to shoot more when we have the ball, find that final pass, find the right solutions. We must improve and be more competitive. You have to be more optimistic in front of goal.”