FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has discussed the club’s new signings, exits and Lamine Yamal … [+]
FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has discussed his club’s new signings and outgoing transfers made on deadline day in the summer transfer window ahead of this weekend’s clash with Osasuna.
Other topics on the table included a positional rivalry between Lamine Yamal and Raphinha and Barca’s chances of advancing beyond the Champions League group phase for the first time in three years.
A busy deadline day saw Barca land Portuguese duo Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo with the help of their agent Jorge Mendes.
Reports have previously claimed that while Xavi long chased Cancelo, he did not ask for Atletico Madrid misfit Felix.
During his prematch press conference, however, Xavi stressed that the 23-year-old has numerous admirers in Catalonia aside from noted fan and Barca chief Joan Laporta and that Eric Garcia, Ansu Fati and Ez Abde had asked to leave.
First asked if he has a better squad than in 2022/2023, Xavi dryly said: “I’ll tell you at the end of the season”.
“On paper I am satisfied, I think Mateu [Alemany], Deco… They have done a good job. We have worked very well in the conditions we have. The three who have left, it is because of what they asked for.
Xavi said that Cancelo was of a “high level” and noted the “extraordinary effort” Felix made in reducing his salary.
He then said that Felix’s signing, as part of a loan deal until June 30 next year, “fits all of us, not just the president”.
“He is a natural talent, a fast player who can play on the left, inside, he can adapt to the three positions up top. He will help us a lot just like Cancelo.”
Regarding Fati, who will spend the rest of the season at Brighton, Xavi outlined that the main goal is for the La Masia graduate “to return to succeed at Barca”.
“He has the feeling that he has to play … he is still the club’s heritage,” the manager stated.
Fati and Abde left because of competition on the left wing only increased by the arrival of Felix. Over on the right, there will be a battle between 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, now that the Brazilian has returned from suspension, without even considering Ferran Torres.
Asked how he will manager Yamal and Raphinha, Xavi said: “Sometimes you give too much importance to starting the match from the beginning.”
“Ferran, for example, has been a substitute for two matches and has made a difference and scored two goals. The player has to understand that there are five changes and they are important. Whether one or the other plays, they have to be prepared to go in.”
As for Barca in the Champions League, where they have been drawn against Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp, Xavi said his team are “obliged” to qualify for the knockout phase for the first time in three years yet must take things “step by step”.