Xavi

In a comprehensive press conference ahead of Barcelona’s game against Las Palmas, Xavi Hernandez shared insightful updates on the squad’s condition, player performances, and his outlook on the team’s future. Central to the discussion was Robert Lewandowski’s exceptional form and leadership. “Based on the fact that Lewandowski is a natural leader, he makes an effort, he wants to improve, he is a tremendous footballer for us and in great form. He is vital for our interests,” Xavi stated, underscoring the Polish striker’s significance to the team. The Barcelona coach also touched upon the development and integration of young talents within…

Getty Images   Xavi’s time at Barcelona is coming to an end as he announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of 2023/24 season. This comes after Barca suffered a 3-5 defeat to Villarreal on Saturday. Barcelona became La Liga champions with Xavi in his first full season as head coach and also became Supercopa de Espana champions. As the news broke, several names have emerged to replace Xavi at Barca. Let’s take a look. Top 5 candidates to replace Xavi at Barcelona   Roberto De Zerbi Roberto de Zerbi has emerged as one of the…

Sky Sports   Barcelona head coach Xavi has been quizzed on Ilkay Gundogan’s potential move to Barcelona. Gundogan’s contract with Manchester City expires this summer and he hasn’t signed a new deal yet. The midfielder has been linked with a move to Barcelona as well as Arsenal. Speaking about Gundogan, amid the links, Xavi told MD: “Well, the only thing I can share is that any footballer we are going to sign and that we have the chance to talk to wants to come here. “I have not seen any player tell us: no, I prefer to go to another…

The two sides played a 2 – 2 draw with each other in the first leg of the European competition. The second leg is set to take place on February 23 at Old Trafford Stadium. Ahead of the meeting, Xavi has admitted they are going to have a tough game against “one of the best teams in Europe”, however, it is now going to stop them. “It could go to extra time or penalties, our idea won’t change much. We want to be attacking and if we can play in their half, much better,” he said, via Manchester Evening News. “I…

Roberto has entered the final six months of his contract and Barcelona are eager to extend partnership with the 31 year old. Head coach Xavi brought on Sergio Roberto and Ferran Torres in their 2:0 win over Cadiz during the weekend in the la liga encounter. Sergi opened the scoring from an header by Robert Lewandosky, which was cleared of the line by the tight defense, before Lewy went on to provide the second goal. Both goals came in the closing stages of the first half, with Barcelona then doing enough to see out the win over their lowly visitors,…

Xavi was clearly shocked by Erik ten Hag and his boys as Barca managed to grab a draw on their own ground. The side have been the best side in the La Liga but their European competition run hasn’t been the best as they were evicted from the Champions League group stage. Having been matched with Manchester United, the side have seen their hopes of qualification hanging by the rope but Xavi believes they can make it into the next round of the competition. “Manchester is a big city and going to their home ground will be a big task…

The Red Devils have won five of their six games in the competition ahead of the game. And they’ll be looking to mastermind yet another victory as they look to win all four competitions they’re competing in. United will tackle Barcelona without Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer, with the pair both suspended. But there’s some good news when it comes to Antony and Scott McTominay, with Ten Hag confirming the pair were edging closer to returns – despite being ruled out for Thursday’s match at the Nou Camp. “I think they [McTominay and Antony] are on their way back, they…

Though currently still behind Arsenal and Manchester City, Manchester United haven’t lost all hopes of lifting the Premier League trophy as they mark another victory following 2-0 stunner against Leeds United. The goals didn’t start coming early but at the end of the day, United had the last laugh and ten Hag definitely would be expecting same results against Barcelona when the Red Devils lock horns with the Catalans later this week. According to Erik ten Hag’s whose side gasped for air to finally end in a draw in their first leg encounter against Leeds United, Manchester United managed to…

The Catalans have a very tight budget to work with and following interview with the President, it’s keen they won’t be making any signing. Speaking to Cope, Laporta shared that Barcelona have a large squad already and would hardly be making any signing this winter. Barcelona managed to sign Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Franck Kessie, Andrea Christensen, Marcos Alonso and more last summer and that would mean no signing this winter according to Laporta. Speaking to press, he said; “We strengthen ourselves in the summer, in principle we don’t have to do anything in January. Currently we are 1:1 but in…

Chelsea will now see strong interest from Barcelona for their captain, Cesar Azpilicueta with Barcelona now only signing aged players due to the low cost. The La Liga side is in a financial crises and only managing to patch the squad with aged players, limiting their abilities to compete on a higher level but they have to keep on until they have left their financial problems. Same reason they signed Marcos Alonso from Chelsea and now back for Cesar Azpilicueta who will likely be leaving this January despite Reece James injury. Should James be back, Cesar is certain no game…

Marco Asensio will see his contract expire at the end of the current season when he will leave Santiago Bernabeu after spending 8-years at the club. With just 169 league appearances made for Real Madrid across his 8-years stay at the club, its been a disappointing spell for the former Mallorca star who is now ready to seek future elsewhere. Keen interest has been shown by Barcelona for the Spaniard but following an interview, it’s now clear he is considering future elsewhere as he doesn’t see himself in Barcelona next. “Barcelona was never an option. I’m happy at Real Madrid,…

Inigo Martinez appears keen on a Barcelona move after claiming talking about his contract now could create confusions and would rather leave his agent to deal with the club directly. Indeed this could be the aftermath of Barcelona identifying him as a transfer target following the departure of Gerard Pique. Not just will Martinez fill the role well, he will also come as a free agent when his contract expires in 2023 and that’s one thing Barcelona really love now as they fight to escape their financial deep. Speaking in an interview, the 31-year-old shared his opinion when asked about…

Barcelona hosted Manchester City in a charity friendly game on Wednesday, August 24 which was being promoted by Juan Carlos Unzue in awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The game ended in a 3-3 draw as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay scored for Barca, meanwhile, Julian Alvarez, Cole Palmer and Riyad Mahrez scored for City. Following the game, Xavi spoke out on Silva. He said: “Who doesn’t like Bernardo Silva? And De Bruyne, and Haaland… He’s a very important player for City, who makes a difference. I like him, because there are very few like him… But…

Mundo Deportivo writes that the transfer of the Spaniard is now a priority for Barcelona and its head coach Xavi. The club likes the versatility of the player: he can play not only on the right flank of defense but also on the left and central defender positions. In addition, Barca believes that Azpilicueta’s great experience of playing at the European level is an advantage. Xavi and Barcelona director Mateu Alemany are very happy with Azpilicueta’s playing and human qualities. Cesar knows and then wants to move from Chelsea to Barcelona and has been insisting on doing so for months.…

Mundo Deportivo reports that the Barcelona coach will only give his approval for the 25-year-old midfielder to move to another club if the Catalan club signs Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva. A win in New York 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/XBXgUpy02i — Frenkie de Jong (@DeJongFrenkie21) July 31, 2022 As noted, Frankie is sympathetic to Xavi as a player. However, de Jong is not the type of midfielder that suits the coach best.