With renewed energy and desire to start. Four days after returning to work next Monday, Xavi Hernández presented his campus at the Banco Santander headquarters in Passo de Gràcia in Barcelona. He did it in a summer format but very aware of current events. “As a coach he rests much less than as a player. Now I have to keep an eye on the phone and the signings, let's see how we can strengthen ourselves”, Xavi started as always optimistic and, above all, very ambitious. “We are still missing pieces, we have to strengthen ourselves more, to see how far we can go taking into account our economic situation. The market will be long, ”he confessed.
Among the positions to reinforce, he did not hide the one on the right side and the pivot. "As for the winger, it is true that we would like to incorporate him but I don't know if we will be able to do it". More importance attaches 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 looking at the young people. “I am a youth player and of course we will give priority to the youth team. They all start from scratch. Look at Balde last year, who became a key player”.
As a key, he hopes that the recently signed Gundogan will become this course. “He is versatile, he has a lot of quality, he is a very prepared footballer, he has the dream of succeeding at Barça. He is the example that the Barça brand has spectacular strength, I have spoken many times with him”.
Xavi knows that he is entering a period of the year in which he has to talk to the footballers to communicate his plans. “Yes, it is what I have to do, there have to be exits for there to be entrances. I have already spoken with many and will continue to speak. The coach acknowledged that he has already had a conversation with Kessié, one of those who could leave, although he preferred not to reveal the content of it. Asked directly by Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati, Xavi did not guarantee his continuity, among other reasons because no forward player has come out. "Now they will return to training and we will make decisions based on how events evolve." Even when asked about Nico, he commented: "He returns from his 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 transmit the maximum ambition and that is why he aspires to a stronger squad. “We have to improve in the collective game and be more competitive in the Champions League, which is our pending issue. We are not favourites, but this is Barça and our goal is to win the Champions League. Then we'll see how far we get. We have to set the bar as high as possible”.
Always optimistic, he is convinced that the season will go well and that he will continue on the Barcelona bench. He is not worried that the president of Barcelona, Joan Laporta, now gives priority to rounding out the squad. “I am where I want to be, in the club of my love, and I will never be a problem for Barça. There will be no problem to continue. I will adapt to any circumstance."
