Barcelona put blockbuster summer signing on a specific training plan before La Liga opener

Barcelona put blockbuster summer signing on a specific training plan before La Liga opener Blockbuster summer signing Rodri completed his first training session with FC Barcelona away from the main group. Although he had already taken part in the activation session before the Joan Gamper Trophy match, the World Cup winner worked on the pitch under an individualised programme on Friday. He has only been back in training for a few days after his holidays and, despite being in excellent physical condition as he himself explained during his presentation, he is following a specific plan to get up to speed at the club, reports SPORT . Individual program for Rodri Speaking at his presentation after the announcement of the transfer, Rodri provided an update on his condition, saying: “I’m ready to play already. The back operation that was talked about was nothing, it was an outpatient procedure. I’m ready to train with the team and, when the coach decides, once I’ve got some rhythm, I’ll be ready to play. I hope it will be as soon as possible.” After Thursday’s rest day, Barça returned to training to begin preparing for Sunday’s visit to Elche at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero. However, the 30-year-old Madrid-born midfielder did not train at the same intensity as his teammates. But it is still too early to rule Rodri out of the first official match of the season. Saturday’s final training session and Hansi Flick’s press conference should provide more clues about whether the midfielder could make his Barça debut. The German coach has already made it clear in recent weeks that he will not take risks with anyone: the coaching staff’s absolute priority is for every player to have as much time as necessary to reach full fitness. Cancelo gets to work Cancelo back training with Barcelona (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) Joao Cancelo, meanwhile, did train with the group on Friday. After spending several difficult weeks waiting for his return to Spotify Camp Nou to be formally completed, the Portuguese full-back finally got to work. It remains to be seen whether Flick includes him in the squad for the game, although Barça would first have to register him in order for him to play. For now, none of the new signings have been registered. Andreas Christensen, who renewed his contract this summer, has not been registered either. Cancelo trained normally alongside all the available first-team players, as well as youngsters Eder Aller, Xavi Espart, Jordi Pesquer, Ebrima Tunkara, Orian Goren, Hamza Abdelkarim, Brian Farinas and Alvaro Cortes.