Xavi: 'Vitor Roque must be given time to adapt'

Barcelona head coach Xavi has called for calm when it comes to new signing Vitor Roque.

The 18-year-old's arrival at Camp Nou has now been confirmed, with his switch from Athletico Paranaense taking place six months earlier than had initially been agreed.

Roque has arrived at Barcelona off the back of scoring 28 goals and registering 11 assists in 81 appearances for Athletico Paranaense in all competitions.

The Catalan outfit are attempting to register his signing with La Liga in time for him to be involved in Thursday's contest with Las Palmas, and he has been named in the initial squad.

However, amid the excitement from the club's supporters, Xavi has said that Barcelona "will be cautious" when it comes to the teenager and insisted that he must be given time "to adapt".

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"I'm counting on him, he's still to be registered, I guess it's a matter of hours. But I hope to have him in the squad," the head coach told reporters during Wednesday's pre-match press conference.

"We don't want to burden him with responsibility. He is very young, he has to adapt. He's doing well, he's eager and he's adapted very quickly to the group and to training. But we will be cautious."

Xavi also insisted that Roque can play in the same side as Robert Lewandowski, who has only managed nine goals for the Catalan giants thus far this season.

"Yes, Vitor and Lewy can adapt. There will be no problem for them to play together," he added.

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Xavi also paid tribute to Las Palmas, with Garcia Pimienta's side impressing this season, sitting 10th in the La Liga table following their promotion from the Segunda Division last term.

"Along with Girona, I think they are one of the revelations of the season. Pimienta is a great coach, they are playing very well," he added.

"Their game is very similar to what we want, because of the attacking approach, the triangulation... I know him (Pimienta) well, we played together in the reserve team and I wish him all the best. It will be a fight for the ball. They're a tough opponent."

Barcelona are currently fourth in the La Liga table on 38 points, boasting a record of 11 wins, five draws and two defeats from their 18 league matches this season.

The Catalan side are seven points behind both leaders Real Madrid and second-placed Girona, but the gap could have widened by the time that the reigning champions take to the field on Thursday, with the top two both in action on Wednesday night.