Roony Bardghji has had limited playing time so far at Barcelona, but according to SVT Nyheter, Bardghji described having patience even though he might think he deserved to play more. His statement about wanting more playing time has created headlines in Spain, and according to Sport, Bardghji's comments have not been appreciated within the club and have been interpreted as dissatisfaction and criticism of coach Hansi Flick. Bardghji, 20, made the big move to Barcelona in the summer, according to official sources.
In his first season at Barcelona, Bardghji has recorded four goals and two assists, according to multiple reports. He has made seven starts and 15 substitute appearances in competitive matches this season, according to multiple reports. Bardghji is Barcelona's number 19, following in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, according to multiple sources.
I have patience, even though I might think I deserved to play more.
He changed his number in the winter from 28 to 19 when he was formally registered for the first team in January, according to reports. According to Fotbollskanalen, Bardghji described the number change by saying he just got a first-team number and it's cool, while also noting he is a big Messi supporter, though he downplayed the significance of inheriting the legendary number. According to Fotbollskanalen, Bardghji described being happy, doing well, developing, and having gotten many chances.
He also expressed that of course he wants to play, especially important matches, but noted it's up to coach Graham Potter for national team selection. According to Fotbollskanalen, Bardghji described taking Spanish speculation about a possible loan lightly, saying there will always be writing and that's just how it is, and he doesn't think about it, with the important thing being that he and the club know how they should work together. Barcelona has no plans to sell Roony Bardghji in the summer, only if he himself explicitly wants it, according to club sources.
For me, it's just a number.
A loan back to FC Copenhagen was discussed after the move to Spain, but the choice fell on staying at Barcelona, according to multiple reports. Bardghji is said to have bought into an initial adaptation year as a clear second behind Lamine Yamal, and no such desire to leave has been expressed, with Bardghji said to be happy at Barcelona. Bardghji got the chance to start in Barcelona's 5-2 win over Sevilla on Sunday, according to multiple reports.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick chose to start 19-year-old Roony Bardghji in the match against Sevilla. Bardghji did not impress the Spanish press in the match against Sevilla, with Mundo Deportivo writing that he was not particularly involved in the match and his teammates hardly looked for him. According to Mundo Deportivo, he challenged his defender one-on-one on just one occasion and it went well, even though he didn't get the pass off later.
But I'm happy and doing well. I have developed. That's important for me. And I have gotten many chances. I am just ready when I get the chance.
It is only the fourth time this season that Bardghji starts in league play and the first time since the beginning of December, according to multiple reports. Lamine Yamal started on the bench in the match against Sevilla, according to multiple reports. Raphinha, 29, will miss several weeks due to a muscle injury in his thigh, according to multiple reports.
The Spanish newspaper AS believes Raphinha's injury could open up more playing time for Roony Bardghji, according to multiple reports. Barcelona leads La Liga, four points ahead of Real Madrid, according to multiple reports. Barcelona faces Sevilla in La Liga on Sunday, aiming to extend its league lead, according to multiple reports.
It feels good. I am extremely excited and it feels like everyone is extremely excited.
Bardghji is facing a World Cup playoff with the Swedish national team, first against Ukraine in a semifinal on Thursday, according to multiple reports. According to Fotbollskanalen, Bardghji described being extremely excited for the match. In Thursday's playoff match against Ukraine, Bardghji remained on the bench, according to multiple reports.
The contradiction between reports of internal irritation at Barcelona over Bardghji's comments and the club's stated position of having no plans to sell him suggests uncertainty about how management views his public remarks. What specific actions or statements from Barcelona's club leadership indicate irritation or lack thereof regarding Bardghji's comments remains unclear, as does how coach Hansi Flick personally views Bardghji's performance and potential playing time, especially after the Sevilla match. The detailed terms or conditions under which Barcelona would consider a loan or sale of Bardghji have not been publicly specified, nor has it been clarified how Bardghji's adaptation and development plan with Barcelona aligns with his actual playing opportunities.
Of course I want to play. Especially important matches. But it's up to Graham (Potter, national team coach).
The impact of Raphinha's injury on Bardghji's starting role in upcoming matches, particularly in Champions League games, represents another unknown factor in his playing time equation. Bardghji has mostly played on the right, where he competes with Lamine Yamal, according to multiple reports.
I haven't thought about it that much, to be honest. For me, it's just a number. Of course I know which players have had it before but I have never thought about numbers like that. It's not a big deal for me.
I just got a first-team number. It's cool.
I know he has had it but I have tried not to think about it. I have heard from the guys that it's not a bad number to have. But I haven't thought about it.
There will always be writing. That's just how it is. I don't think about it. The important thing is that me and the club know how we should work together. I take it as it comes.
He was not particularly involved in the match and his teammates hardly looked for him. He challenged his defender one-on-one on just one occasion and it went well, even though he didn't get the pass off later.