Sergi Roberto played his 301st match against Granada with the elastic Blaugrana. For this milestone alone it deserves a separate recognition, but we are also talking about one of the four captains of the squad and the author of one of the most media goals in the recent history of FC Barcelona: the sixth of the comeback against PSG in the eighth of the Champions League.
However, This season is being especially difficult for Sergi Roberto. He started without finding a clear position on Ronald Koeman's board, competing with Sergiño Dest on the right wing, and with very few options in the midfield, above all because of the versatility of a surprising Pedri, who played in any position on the pitch and fully complied with all of them. However, the one from Reus knew how to convince the Dutch coach thanks to his capacity for sacrifice and work, gaining ground from a Dest, who committed excessive youthful sins, until the Fateful match against Atlético Madrid at the Wanda (1-0) where Sergi Roberto suffered a serious injury to the rectus femoris in his right leg, leaving him in the dry dock for more than two months. The misfortune, and the rush to reappear, wanted that after two games, he would relapse from the same injury, having to spend two more months off the pitch.
Now he has returned, but with many more doubts about his game. Without the depth of Dest, his game on the wing begins to leak, since in the new drawing, 3-5-2, he has to be much more incisive upstairs and try to open the field, having his back covered by Mingueza. However, Sergi Roberto has been shallow and without resources in his new role, demonstrating obvious shortcomings to provide play in the transition phase. His game against Granada was the clear proof that his virtues are not adapted to the needs of the team now. It is true that no one can deny him his ability to sacrifice and work, but the team needs production on the wings, and with Sergi Roberto there is hardly any transcendent outside game and let alone imbalance.
The one from Reus is also at an important crossroads in his career. Contract ends on June 30, 2022, with a clause of 500 million euros, and the club has offered him the possibility of renewing one more year down, but the youth squad wants a minimum of two years to sign.
However, Within the technical secretariat there are many doubts about the future of Sergi Roberto: the appearance of Ilaix Moriba, the growth of Dest, the versatility of De Jong and Pedri and the possible landing next summer of the now Betis player, the Brazilian Emerson, They would leave few options to the youth squad in the Blaugrana ecosystem. Hence, the club is very clear about what the betting priorities are and which ones are much more secondary. In this situation, the future of Sergi Roberto could be further away than close to FC Barcelona.