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With Barcelona yet to renew Sergi Roberto, whose contract expired on June 30, it appears that the La Masia graduate will finally sever ties with his boyhood club this summer.
The 32-year-old is already entertaining offers from the Premier League as well as Dutch giants AFC Ajax with a renewal at Barça becoming a distant possibility.
With Roberto’s exit, there will be a shift in captaincy roles at the club. The La Masia product was the first captain last season, taking over after the departure of Sergio Busquets.
Now, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who was the second captain in 2023/24, will be promoted to the first captain. Meanwhile, Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong will also see an elevation in their status and become the second and third captains.
Three contenders for fourth captain role
Now, SPORT reports that with the fourth captain position becoming vacant, there are three possible contenders to occupy the position for next season.
The three options happen to be veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, experienced midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, and rising superstar Pedri.
Pedri and Gundogan are in the race for captaincy. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Gundogan, 33, is one of the most seasoned campaigners in the Barça squad and has been captain of a treble-winning Manchester City squad in the past.
The German has previously worked with manager Hansi Flick and was also a standout player for the Catalans last season.
Pedri may be the youngest of the three options on the list but he has been at the club the longest, is regarded as one of the cornerstones of the project, and has the respect of the locker room even though he is only 21.
But, as per the report, it is Lewandowski who seems to be the favourite to become the fourth captain. He is the seniormost member in the squad currently, has vast experience and has played under Flick’s tutelage in the past which gives him an edge.
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-veteran-superstar-frontrunner-for-fourth-captain-role-midfield-duo-in-contention/
Author : Michel Durant
Publish date : 2024-07-30 12:31:02
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