Exclusive: Sergi Roberto is tired of playing at right-back for Barcelona

The image of Sergi Roberto after the Leganes goal on Sunday said it all. The footballer was visibly affected by his defensive error. At the end of the game, he was distraught given he's been the centre of attention in recent weeks. The converted midfielder is struggling in his new position at right-back and is tired of playing there. Mentally exhausted and put under pressure by the opposition each game, Sergi Roberto would prefer to play in another positons, but his destiny is clear in the short-term: there's no possible replacement at right-back. 

Luis Enrique spoke with Sergi Roberto in the summer to make it clear that he had complete confidence in him as a right-back. He'd already tried him there last season and the results had been positive. Sergi fought for the position with Aleix Vidal and quickly emerged as first choice. Not just that, but Luis Enrique ostracised Vidal for a large part of the campaign. Sergi Roberto has not been rotated in and out of the side and has accumulated a large number of minutes, something which has made him more vulnerable in the second half of the season. 

In recent, more challenging games, the demands on Sergi Roberto have been high. Both in the Copa against Atletico Madrid and then against PSG in the Champions League and Leganes in La Liga. All three teams tried to attack him on the Barça right. And Sergi suffered. He's a great player with a lot of qualities, but he lacks a little pace in his defensive work. He's slowly dropped off the pace in recent months, but the team's general dip in performance levels has seen him suffer more problems. 

Sergi Roberto is beginning to tire of playing at right-back, a position which does not allow him to demonstrate his technique. Last season he played well in midfield and the club are planning to restore him to a more attacking role in the future. But he must put up with playing at full-back and sacrifice himself until the end of the season. If there's no signing to replace Aleix Vidal, who's injured for five months, Mascherano can fill in on certain occasions, as he has done previously. If there's a signing, Sergi Roberto can breathe a little easier.