Abidal's plan: Move Sergi Roberto back into midfield

The first decision made by the new Technical Secretary at Barcelona, Eric Abidal, didn't have anything to do with a potential new signing or a surprising departure but in repositioning the most versatile member of the first team squad: Sergi Roberto. At the top of his 'To-do' list is strengthening the central midfield area of the team and it appears the answer lies with Roberto. Let's not forget that the player's natural position is in midfield but he's been forced to play at right back following Dani Alves departure. Roberto, too, is happy to adapt to what is being asked of him.

There are various factors which have seen Abidal reach the conclusion that Sergi will be of better use in midfield than at right back. He's a player which knows exactly how Barcelona want to play, he speaks the same language as those around him and throughout his development at the club played in midfield.

He can player further forward or sit deep

Roberto's versatility, in this case, is another positive. He can play as the furthest forward of a midfield three as he's already done this on various occasions for the first team, but is equally adept at fulfilling the pivot role currently undertaken by Sergio Busquets. Both for the academy as well as in the senior squad, Roberto has played as the main anchor in midfield.

Another factor which influenced Abidal's decision is the difficulty he's found in trying to locate someone of Roberto's ilk in the transfer market. There aren't many midfielders like him about, who are creative but also able to defend, who have pace but also possess the 'DNA' Barcelona need their footballers have in order to deal with the pressure they'll be under at an elite club.

The club are trying to learn from the mistakes they made last year when they spent a lot of time and effort to sign PSG's Marco Verratti, pursuing the player for almost a year, before PSG closed the door on a move.

Very few options available on the market

At the moment there are very few options available to reinforce the midfield position. The club believes that the best 'signing' is already at the club and this is why they are moving Roberto further forward. This decision wasn't made by only Abidal as Ernesto Valverde also agrees with the Frenchman's plan.

Those two, alongside Pep Segura and Ramon Planes, had a meeting last week as they outlined their plans for next season's squad. Roberto, who is currently away on holiday, has already spoken with Abidal about changing position and is happy with the decision.

This choice, logically, means that Barcelona will need to sign a right back this summer instead as without Roberto they only have Nelson Semedo for that role. The Portuguese will do everything in his power to show why he deserves to be trusted as the club's first choice right back after an up and down debut season at the Camp Nou.