Jorge Valdano: David Villa will be resigned to a secondary role at Barcelona if he is not selected for Clasico against Real Madrid

Posted Wednesday, December 07, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Former Real Madrid general manager Jorge Valdano feels that David Villa could become a fringe player at Barcelona if he is not selected for this Saturday's Clasico encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"It would not surprise me if Barcelona played Alexis (instead of Villa), who has found the net of late," the Argentine told Marca.

The Spain international forward has been part of the Catalan giants' success since moving from Valencia in the summer of 2010, but has found competition for places in Pep Guardiola's starting XI more intense this campaign.

With the summer acquisitions of Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez, the Camp Nou outfit have added more options in attack, and Valdano feels the 30-year-old could be forced further into the background.

"This game is key; if he is not selected it could condemn Villa to a secondary role, and he does not deserve this," he said.

"There are also players like Pedro who have put in superb performances against Madrid in the past," Valdano added.

When it comes to team selection for los Blancos, Valdano wants coach Jose Mourinho to adopt an attacking approach.

"I hope Ozil will play. In Barcelona, Lassana Diarra would be more likely to feature, but at the Bernabeu, and with this euphoria, I think the German will play," the 56-year-old continued.

Recent Clasico matches have seen Mourinho's men query the decision-making processes of referees, but Valdano feels this has no place in the game.

"Talking about referees is something aesthetically deplorable in Madrid. The club can not play that game ever again," he concluded.

Barcelona goes into Saturday's game three points adrift of La Liga leaders Madrid, who have a game in hand.

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