Barcelona need to hold talks with Robert Lewandowski over the Polish striker’s future beyond the end of the season, according to the former France international.
Former Barcelona star Emmanuel Petit has suggested the Catalan giants should first talk to the Polish forward about how he feels at the end of the season before finding a solution, Ufabet reports on Saturday.
‘I think when you get to that age you have to take it one season at a time. I think you have to talk to Lewandowski and see how he feels at the end of the season. Maybe he will tell you, I feel a little bit tired, it’s getting harder and harder to recover mentally and physically every three days. He plays every three days and if he’s not professional you have to stop playing immediately. That means he’s still very professional. ‘
‘At this age, especially if you’re on the pitch, not as a goalkeeper, you have to listen to your body and now I think Lewandowski, for me, he hasn’t shown any weaknesses in his body, but at his age it can happen quickly,’ Petit said.
The former France international added that in his opinion, Barcelona should trust Lewandowski’s integrity and work with the Polish forward to set a timeframe for bringing him off the pitch at some point.
‘I think I will take it step by step. At the end of the season you have to talk to him and say, ‘How do you feel? Do you want to continue playing?’ It’s something the Barcelona board has to consider because sooner or later he will break down. It’s natural. But I think I would be happy to continue with Lewandowski, but maybe you can try to find an alternative. ‘
Barcelona paid an initial €30m to sign Vitor Roque from Atletico Paranaense in January but the Brazilian forward struggled for a comfortable first six months before the club sent him on loan to Real Betis this summer, a move Petit believes was the right decision.
‘Whoever is a young player, put them in a rotation plan and tell Lewandowski that he cannot play every game and he has to be like a father to them, to teach them things. The younger players will be more than happy to learn from UFABET Lewandowski and both sides will play.’