Post Script. Has now joined Barça's first team squad officially, with shirt number 16. He will not start the season with them though, as he has picked for the Olympic squad and will be spending the month of September in Australia. Will have to fight for his place when he gets back, and although Guardiola is injured, the signing of Gerard and Iván De la Peña will make it difficult for him to hold down a first team spot. He is not however without alternatives, and he has received offers to quadruple his salary if he wants to move on (which he doesn't at the moment).

28.05. Called up for the Spanish under 21 squad for the upcoming European championship.

21.05. Started the match against Celta alongside Guardiola, but was substituted at half time by Puyol.

14.05. With several injuries and Gabri suspended, played the full 90 minutes against Valencia in the Champions League in an unfamiliar position, on the right of midifeld. Was a late substitute against Real Sociedad.

07.05. Non playing substitute against Valencia midweek and against Rayo on Saturday.

30.04. Was one of the magnificent ten who stood on the touchline in the abandoned cup semi-final. 23.04. Stayed on the bench for the two games this week. Came on as substitute for the injured Zenden after 75 minutes in the league match against Atlético Madrid on Saturday.

23.04. Stayed on the bench for the two games this week.

16.04. Guardiola still out, so played in the cup midweek, and again at the weekend against Oviedo.

09.04. With Guardiola injured, played full match in Champions League against Chelsea and again against Mallorca. Was criticised however, and still needs to learn a lot before he will replace the Barcelona skipper.

02.04. Didn't play against Valencia.

26.03. Substituted Guardiola for the last half hour or so, both in the Champions League midweek and in the league on Saturday. Picked to captain the under 21 side again.

19.03.Played 90 minutes against Hertha Berlin midweek and got his first goal in Europe this season. Late substitute against Deportivo.

12.03. Token appearance against Oporto, replacing Figo in the last two minutes. Played from the start against Bilbao due to a late injury to Guardiola, but was replaced early in the second half after Van Gaal decided he was not pulling his weight.

05.03. Didn't play against Oporto in the Champions League, and came on late against Numancia for Guardiola.

27.02. Scored the goal for the Spanish under 21 side against Croatia. Came on as second half substitute against Real Madrid.

20.02. Left out of the side by Van Gaal against Valladolid for midweek comments to the press. With Guardiola still injured, this time it was Ronald De Boer who took his place.

13.02. Rested in the cup against Osasuna, and with Guardiola still injured Frank De Boer played in his place.

06.02. Played in cup and league this week.

30.01. Still first choice, and Guardiola now injured..

09.01. Still keeping Guardiola out of the first team as Barcelona recover their form.

22.12. Kept his place for game against Rayo.

19.12. Preferred to Guardiola in match against Atlético, with Barcelona captain relegated to the bench.

12.12. Replaced the suspended Guardiola last week in league .

13.11. Played for Spain's under 21 team against Norway in the European championship and scored another goal in their 1-3 victory.

31.10. Played Champions League match against Solna as Guardiola rested.

17.10. Xavi came in to replace Guardiola in Saturday's match at Numancia. He played the full 90 minutes.

10.10. Scored the winning penalty in Spain's under 21 victory against Israel.

18.9. Went back to Barcelona B at the weekend and played 90 minutes, but team lost.

14.9. Played in place of Guardiola in Champions League match in Solna.

12.9. Played for under 21 side against Austria and Cyprus. Was substitute against Espanyol but didn't come on.

30.8. Came on as sub for Gabri and played last 15 minutes in 1-2 victory over Racing.

20.8. Fell down hotel steps in pre-season tour of Holland and missed most games with shoulder injury. Was on bench for first match of season but didn't come on. Played in Gamper. Has officially been included in Barcelona B squad as young players can play for either A or B team. Expected however to play most of the season with the A team. First team shirt number 26 (numbers 26 onwards reserved for young B team players).