Just three days before the pre-season camp starts, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez attended a press conference today during which he shed light on the club’s transfer plans for the summer.
The Blaugrana have made a slow start to the summer, bringing in Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez for free while being unable to get rid of any of the unwanted players from the squad, barring Samuel Umtiti, whose contract was terminated.
The manager shed light on how it is to be a manager during the off-season, saying: “As a player you rest more, as a manager you have to keep an eye on the phone and the signings. On Monday we start to prove that Barça can win titles. We are on the right track. Let’s see if we can strengthen.”
“This is Barça, the pressure is blessed, we have to go for the league plus a lot more. I like the demand, that we want to go for all the titles, that’s the objective,” he added, talking about the pressure that comes with the club.
On the departure of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, and their replacements as club captains, Xavi said: “A lot is lost with Busi and Alba gone. They are two references in the dressing room, especially for the youngsters. Others will take that role, Sergi Roberto, Ter Stegen. The captains have to be chosen. There will be voting, total democracy.”
Gundogan became the first major arrival for Barcelona this summer, joining on a free transfer after his contract at Manchester City expired. Talking about his signing, the manager said:
“He is a versatile player in midfield, an expert, a winner of the last Champions League, captain of City, he has told us that he is coming to succeed at Barça. He will help us a lot.”
On the signing of a new midfielder for the pivot position, and the interest in Oriol Romeu, in particular, Xavi said: “Yes, we are in a complicated situation, I have always said that. We have to adapt to fair play and after that I don’t want to talk about names because the other clubs get angry.”
The manager also added that being an academy product himself, he wants to look at the homegrown talent before looking outside for reinforcements.
He also insisted that just two signings are not enough, as he said: “We have to strengthen, the president knows it, Mateu knows it, we can’t fool anyone. The market is going to be a long one so that we can be as competitive as possible.”
After underperforming in the Champions League for two successive seasons, Xavi and Barça have made it a point to go far in the competition this season.
“We are not favourites, but the objective is to win it. We are Barça. We can’t say we’re going to the last 16. We have to go as far as possible. The bar is as high as possible,” he said.
When asked about Real Madrid’s pursuit of Kylian Mbappe, Xavi replied: “We always have the utmost respect for Madrid and they will compete for everything. But I’m only interested in our side. I don’t know anything about Mbappe, don’t go there.”
The manager also called upon the fans to continue supporting them at the Montjuic Olympic Stadium just like they did at Camp Nou, saying: “More than worrying, I’d like to appeal to the fans. They have made a big difference at Camp Nou, supporting us in bad times. I see enthusiasm in the culerada and our mission is to keep that enthusiasm alive.”
Continuing discussing the transfer plans, Xavi insisted that they wish to sign a new right-back but did not rule out continuing with Jules Kounde in the position, saying: “We will see where we get to, we would like to reinforce that position but it depends on the market and fair play.”
About the Financial Fair Play and registrations, he added: “It’s a matter for Mateu. He is quite clear about it. It’s a question of squaring up. It’s no problem for Mateu, he’s doing a master’s degree in fair play.”
On the potential exits of Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati, he said: “Ansu, like everyone else, starts from scratch on Monday. We’ll see in pre-season, also with the loan players, and then we’ll decide. With Balde, we started last pre-season with an idea and then it exploded.”
Xavi also reiterated that youth team players will get an opportunity and that if they impress, like Alejandro Balde did last year, they will become a part of his plans.
“I have already said that they all start from scratch, whether they are 16 or 38 years old. If they prove to me that they can play for Barça, they will play. We don’t give away any money. We are not an NGO. That’s why I gave the example of Balde.”
On the situation of Franck Kessie, Xavi said: “I spoke to him, yes, he already knows the situation, which is private and I will not make it public.”
When asked for an update on the signing of Vitor Roque, the Barcelona manager stayed coy, saying: “It’s the same as with Romeu, I can’t talk. The sports management is working.”
There have been talks of Andreas Christensen being used as a pivot midfielder next season. Xavi insisted that there are options at his disposal, but none of them are natural and reinforcements are needed.
“We have a lot of options but they are not natural, Eric, Frenkie, but they are not natural players for that position. We need to reinforce there.”
Arnau Tenas’ contract with Barcelona expired on June 30, with the club not taking up the option to trigger a two-year extension. But talks are ongoing to renew the goalkeeper and Xavi stated that he wants the 22-year-old to stay at the club.
“I have spoken to him, I have a high esteem and a very high evaluation of him. He should stay. That’s what I want,” he said.
On the future of Nico Gonzalez, the manager added: “He’s back from loan, he’ll start the pre-season and then we’ll decide, because the pre-season is an important phase for coaches and players.”
On the topic of Arda Guler snubbing Barcelona for Real Madrid, Xavi said: “I say the same as with Romeu, Roque… I shouldn’t talk about players who have contracts with other clubs.”
On his contract renewal, Xavi insisted that there will be no problems with the club, saying: “I am where I want to be, at the club of my love, of my life. There will be no problem, I will never be a problem for the club. I adapt to any circumstances.”
Talking about why Gundogan chose Barcelona, Xavi said: “That’s how it is. It’s the Barça brand. I’ve never come across a player who said no at the outset.
“The signing of Gundogan is another example. I had many talks with him. He dreams of succeeding at Barça and he let me know that. Barça is a global brand.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo
