Pique could get a chance to show he has a future at Barcelona

Many are starting to understand why Xavi Hernandez wanted, at least, four top-level centre-backs. The two most regular starters, Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo, will both miss up to the next month of competition. It's a month when Barça have a scary schedule, with nine games, including two against Inter Milan and the Clasico vs. Real Madrid.

Kounde and Araujo were injured with France and Uruguay during the international break. Memphis Depay also picked up a knock while with the Netherlands and Frenkie de Jong has returned to Barça early. The damned FIFA virus. Xavi is aware injuries will be part of the season. Especially in this atypical campaign with the World Cup slapped in the middle in November and December.

That's why he wanted good starters and good backups. At centre-back, Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia and even Gerard Pique (who has hardly played so far this season) will take on more important roles. And they will have to show they are up to the challenge. Barça have some demanding challenges, such as keeping with Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga and reaching the last 16 of the Champions League.

Xavi will need all his players. In this context, Pique will have a chance to prove that he deserves to stay at the club.

Fortunately, the Barça players that played for Spain on Saturday came through the loss to Switzerland unscathed. The six picked by Luis Enrique (Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba, Busquets, Pedri, Gavi and Ferran Torres) all started the game. It's clear Lucho is betting on a Barça model for the World Cup. The problem at the moment is the national team lack goals.