FC Barcelona Registers New Signing In Squad List For Racing Santander

FC Barcelona has added the name of a new signing to its squad list for Thursday night’s Copa del Rey last 16 clash against Racing Santander.

Joao Cancelo’s loan arrival from Al-Hilal for the rest of the season was announced on Tuesday, though all trace of having done that had to be swiftly deleted because of a ‘final document’ being missing according to MARCA.

A few hours later, however, the matter was resolved and Barca now boasts the world’s most expensive player in his position when combined transfers totalling $168.7 million (€145 million) are taken into account.

At a prematch conference on Wednesday where he was forced to address Xabi Alonso’s dismissal by Real Madrid, Hansi Flick explained that his plan was to give minutes to Cancelo at Racing Santander.

The German looks set to keep his word on this judging by the squad list published by the club at around midday, though the 31-year-old full back isn’t expected to start at El Sardinero with Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde the usual starers in the two wide defensive positions.

Flick’s FC Barcelona squad for Santander has other talking points

Additional, notable elements of the squad list are firstly some absences.

Dro Fernandez, who might have been expected to play in a tie like this,.has suffered physical discomfort and is out.

Jofre Torrents is also missing, though he’s been away with Spain’s U-19 team to play against Italy rather than being sidelined.

Included in the group for the Spanish Super Cup final Barca won against Madrid at the weekend, Tommy Marques makes the cut once more and could be handed his senior debut at some stage of the proceedings.

Marc Bernal should line up with Marc Casado, in what could be his last FC Barcelona appearance this term before possibly being sent out on loan.

Marc-Andre ter Stege is there as well, and is expected to be snubbed in favour of usual shotstopper Joan Garcia while possibly on the verge of a temporary assignment elsewhere himself.

Flick has explained why FC Barcelona went for Cancelo

“We had to decide what we wanted. We’re well covered at centre-back with Gerard Martin, Eric and Cubarsi, and with [Ronald] Araujo back as well. Cancelo is a fantastic player, very professional and very strong going forward,” Flick said, explaining why Barca went for the Portugal international at his prematch press conference.

“We need players with quality when opponents sit deep in the final third, and he’s a good option for that,” the German then added.

FC Barcelona Vs. Racing Santander kicks off at 21.00 local time in Spain.