Barcelona marquee summer signing could miss Elche clash

Barcelona marquee summer signing could miss Elche clash Barcelona fans are eagerly waiting for the day they get to see their summer signing Rodri in action for Hansi Flick’s team. However, it looks like the wait will have to continue for a little longer, with the Spaniard unlikely to be in the squad for Barça’s La Liga opener. According to journalist Nacho Jimenez , the midfielder is still working individually as he builds up his fitness and match rhythm. Rodri did not train with the rest of the Barça squad ahead of the trip to the Martinez Valero, making his participation tomorrow highly unlikely. Rodri still working individually The 30-year-old has already been registered and is therefore eligible to play from an administrative point of view. The issue is purely physical. Rodri is continuing with an individual programme designed to help him recover rhythm after a disrupted summer and complete his adaptation to Hansi Flick’s squad. Rodri continues to train individually. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) It is also worth noting that he had minor back surgery, which could add to the delay, with Barça rightly not rushing him into action. Elche match comes too soon Everything points to the Elche game coming a tad too early for Rodri’s own good. Unless there is a late change in plan, Flick is expected to leave the World Cup winner out and rely on the midfield options already available to him. Rodri has been signed to play an important role across the entire season, and his welfare should take utmost priority. Barcelona have enough midfield depth to hold the fort in Rodri’s absence. Rodri’s debut may have to wait. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) Pedri, Gavi and Marc Bernal give Flick several combinations, while Dani Olmo has also been deployed deeper in the past. More pertinently, the emergence of Xavi Espart as a midfield option in the final two pre-season games makes him a candidate to start against Elche tomorrow. The teenager has looked sublime, gliding through midfield and displaying a level of control that belies his years. Barcelona can therefore afford to wait for Rodri to return in 100 percent shape, and fans will have to be patient to see their new No. 16 in action, hopefully against Athletic Club in a few days’ time.