Ask most Culers outside of Catalunya, and some of those in Catalunya – why the heck would FC Barcelona renew Sergi Roberto?
The deal is an extension through 2024 with a 400 million euro buyout clause.
Not only is the 31-year-old likely past his prime, but he’s a back-up at best under Xavi, the manager that was credited with pushing hard for his renewal. In truth, Roberto missed most of his last few “prime” years, making only 12 appearances last season and 20 appearances the year prior. His three goals this season are actually his best in 10 seasons in the first team.
Three goals are not enough to earn an extension at a club like FC Barcelona, even if he’s a captain and a Catalan with nothing but devotion to the badge. That devotion has served Roberto well for the last 10 years. Where others of a similar generation, such as Marc Bartra, Martin Montoya, and Rafinha, chose to try to earn a starting spot elsewhere, Roberto always stuck around, content to wait his turn.
That patience paid off in 2015, when he became the regular starter at right-back under Luis Enrique. Due to squad planning (or lack thereof) and availability, Roberto remained as the de facto right-back as the likes of Nelson Semedo and Sergiño Dest came and went. If he was healthy, which he hasn’t been in three seasons, it was his spot. It took Jules Koundé to finally unseat him this season.
But being available isn’t enough. While he did score THAT goal against PSG in 2017, he’s regularly been below the level to start in Europe. Yet, it appears that his failure is why Xavi wants him around. Xavi knows that Roberto is not the starter at right-back anyway. Roberto knows that too. Xavi also knows that Roberto isn’t a starter in the midfield. Roberto knows that too.
It’s telling that the club got a week of cold feet in renewing him after the Almería loss. For a player being renewed due to his professionalism, versatility, and understanding that he’ll only be used when he’s needed, the failure to perform when called upon against a relegation fighter wasn’t a great sign.
Still, Xavi and the club must like a few things about him enough to keep him around.
- Most importantly, renewing him at a lower wage (a number I’m interested in seeing in), may provide financial relief for a bench spot, even a free transfer, that would eat up more of the wage bill
- Pairing with the first reason, having a cheap player that is fine with only playing a few times a season is generally a positive in the locker room, especially if that player is also a captain that speaks the local language to help new signings get comfortable
- It may not be at the level that most Culers expect (much like Marcos Alonso), but he can play in three different positions and Xavi trusts him as a fringe player more than a youth player you haven’t heard of yet
If the club (and Spanish football at large) was in a better financial situation, it’s unlikely that Sergi Roberto would be renewing. Instead, Arnau Martínez or Juan Foyth would be arriving over the summer, along with Bernardo Silva and a proper replacement for Sergio Busquets. But as always, thanks to Josep Bartomeu, the club may be settling for second best.
