Barcelona's worry over Arthur Melo
The Brazilian has suffered a dip in form in recent weeks and seems to be struggling a bit
At just 22 years old, Arthur Melo lives with the pressure of being the next Xavi. “He remind me of him, he has a very similar style, he plays short passes and doesn’t lose the ball,” said Messi. The comparisons started long before that though.
The former Gremio player has appeared comfortable in the team for a few months.
However despite that it seems he is suffering a little wth the speed and rhythm of the Spanish league and European game.
Valverde is used to taking him off around the 70th minute. Even in Brazil he wasn’t a player for 90 minutes.
Maicon covered him, and he was playing as part of a double pivot. Here he features on the left of the central midfield three, and it is him who has to cover for Alba or Dembele.
This extra effort maybe has contributed to his injuries.
Arthur is one of the players who drinks the most protein shakes in the dressing room and is working hard to convert his body to the demands of European football. But lately he has been far from his best.
There is a moment of worry for the Brazilian, ahead of the games against Atletico Madrid and Manchester United.
Arthur has played 33 games, 2009 minutes. He has been subbed off 15 times in La Liga and four times in the Champions League.
He seems like a fixture in the team even though he physically is struggling a bit. It’s hard to imagine Barca playing at Old Trafford without him in the starting line up.
