With renewed energy, fresh, clear and eager to start. Four days before returning to work next Monday, Xavi Hernández presented his campus at the headquarters of Banco Santander on Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona. He did it in a summer format, but he was very aware of the current situation and was crystal clear both about some aspects of the squad and about the objectives of the season. His boss is already circling Barça 2023-2024. “As a coach you rest much less than as a player. Now I have to wait on the phone and the signings, to see how we can strengthen ourselves”, began an optimistic Xavi as always and, above all, very ambitious. “We are still missing some pieces, we have to strengthen ourselves a little more, let’s see how far we can go taking into account our economic situation. The market will be long”, he confessed.
Among the positions to prop up, he did not hide that of the right side and, especially, that of the pivot. “As for the side, it is true that we would like to make an addition but I do not know if we will be able to do it”. In this sense, it gives more importance to the midfielder. “We have many options like Christensen, Frenkie de Jong or Eric Garcia, but none of them are natural. Hence the desire to sign in this position”. Sign without stopping to look at the young people. “I am from the planter and it is clear that we will give priority to the planter. They all start from scratch. Look at Balde last year, who became a key player”, argued Xavi. The one from Terrassa did not want to abound in Barcelona’s interest in Girona midfielder Oriol Romeu. “I can’t progress because the other clubs get angry at me”.
Who did come to talk about in detail was the signed Gündogan. “He is versatile, he treasures a lot of quality, he is a very prepared footballer, he dreams of succeeding at Barça. He is the example that the Barça brand has spectacular strength, I have spoken to him many times”.
Xavi knows that he is entering a period of the year in which it is up to him to dialogue with the footballers to communicate his plans. “Yes, it’s my turn, there must be exits for there to be entrances. I have already spoken to many and I will continue to speak to them”. The technician acknowledged that he has already had a conversation with Kessié, one of those who could leave, but he preferred not to reveal its content. When asked directly about Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati, Xavi did not guarantee their continuity, among other reasons because no striker has left. “Now they will train again and we will make decisions depending on how the events evolve.” Even when he was asked about Nico González, who returns from loan at Valencia, he commented: “He returns from loan and starts from scratch, like Ansu, who does not return from loan but everyone has to try to convince the coach “.
The Barcelona coach wants to convey maximum ambition and therefore aspires to a stronger squad. “We must improve in the collective game and be more competitive in the Champions League, which is our pending subject. We are not favorites but this is Barça and our goal is to win it. Then we’ll see how far we get. We have to set the bar as high as possible”.
Always positive, he is convinced that the season will go well and that he will continue on the Barcelona bench. He is not worried that President Laporta is now giving priority to rounding out the staff. “I am where I want to be, in the club of my loves, and I will never be a problem for Barça. There will be no problem to continue. I will adapt to any circumstance”.
