Rodri baffles Flick: a terrifying spectre demands caution

A question echoing through the corridors of the Camp Nou: when will the world champion start for Barcelona?

Spain's Rodri is closing in on a starting berth at Barcelona. He has completed his rehabilitation and specific fitness programme, leaving him ready to train normally with the rest of his team-mates. Coach Hansi Flick is now weighing up exactly when to hand him a place in the eleven.

Rodri joined Barcelona's ranks late, denying him a full pre-season with the team. He also needed extra time to adapt after his intensive involvement with the Spain national team at the World Cup, where he worked tirelessly to help his country claim the title.

The Spanish midfielder followed a special programme that ran until Barcelona's clash with Rayo Vallecano, then began normal training this week. That has prompted the technical staff to study the best moment to grant him a starting role.

According to newspaper "Sport", Flick feels torn over the Spaniard. He may throw Rodri into the starting line-up for Sunday's trip to Valencia at the Mestalla, or he may prefer to hold off until a tougher test against Feyenoord in the Champions League next Wednesday.

Precision is the watchword. The technical staff are managing Rodri's involvement and his training loads carefully, aiming to bring him to peak physical condition through a long and gruelling season without draining him at the outset.

Rodri has so far featured for 27 minutes against Athletic Bilbao, then another 26 against Rayo Vallecano. Across both appearances he gave Barcelona more calm and control over the tempo, particularly in the moments when the team's performance tended towards excessive speed.