FC Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández addressed the media Saturday afternoon ahead of the team’s season-closing LaLiga match against Villarreal on Sunday. He spoke about the upcoming match, Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong rumors, potential signings and departures, and much more.
Here is what Xavi said about:
Sunday’s last match of the season against Villarreal
“Relative importance in terms of the result. I would like to see a team with good feelings. Winning is not the main objective, the objective is to end with good feelings. Villarreal is the best team that has touched us. They play a lot, difficult rival. You have to have personality that the fans come to enjoy. There will be chances and goals.”
His thoughts on the season
“We have saved a situation that could have been worse. We have gone from less to more. We have competed, but it has not given us. We had to win titles, yes, we have done a second round. I don’t give myself a grade because whatever is said will be criticized. We have improved a lot. I am the first to demand myself. From now on, float and flip it.”
Reinforcements needed
“The president transmits confidence to me, and that we will be able to reinforce ourselves. We have made a plan, and we will try to execute it. The economic situation is serious, but it’s not my turn to talk about money. I’m here to talk about football. The economic diagnosis is what it is, but let’s talk about football.”
Kylian Mbappé’s transfer situation with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain
“Ask me another question. Mbappé, let him do what he wants, let them be happy. We do not enter into this equation. I do not understand the question.”
Players that will leave Barça in the summer transfer window
“Some [players] already know my opinion. Some must already look for solutions. Now is the time with the minimum required. It is time to make decisions. I feel bad, but you have to take them.”
The amount of money Barça will spend on summer signings
“We cannot put a lot of money. The economic situation is what it is. We did not enter the bidding of Haaland or Mbappé, but it is what we have inherited. There is no need to look back. You have to make pineapple. We have to compete and win titles again. Be competitive from now on.”
Planning for next season
“Unplug? No. I enjoy this job, with this club in the world, I want the best for the club, and I don’t stop working. Sign this one to the other, there is work.”
Fundamental upcoming transfer window
“Not for me, but for the club. I am responsible. We must make an effort to compete again. For my leadership, to compete again. We have improved, but we have to change things to be more competitive. Win titles, which is the club’s objective.”
Negotiations with Robert Lewandowski
“Lewandowski? He’s one of the possibilities that may come. He has said it himself. There are negotiations, he has one year of his contract left. It will not be easy to negotiate with Bayern involved.”
If Sunday’s match will be Ousmane Dembélé’s last game for Barça
“It could be his last, but he could renew. You have to be optimistic. He has played excellent games. When he has not been, we have noticed it. I like it, it depends on the negotiations, but it could be his last game.”
The potential departures of Riqui Puig, Ousmane Dembélé, Samuel Umtiti, Oscar Mingueza, and Martin Braithwaite
“Yes, and some more. We have been talking with the players who won’t continue to find a solution in time. You have to be honest, go straight ahead. That is important.”
His reaction to the players leaving Barça
“Very good predisposition, someone has surprised me, has thanked me, and has moved me. They are hard decisions, I don’t want them to be bitter. They will be happier in other places, it is reality. Sometimes it is hard.”
Frenkie de Jong’s potential transfer away from Barça
“Here we go back to talking about the economic situation. He is for me a beastly player who can mark an era. Very capable, very dominating. He can help us a lot, but we go back to talking about money, but I don’t want to.”
The areas the team needs to improve
“In the tactical, physical, and psychological aspect. We have to improve in all three senses. Physically, we have improved a lot since November. Also, reinforce the squad to have the positions doubled, and that allows us to fight for the titles.”
The importance of neatness
“I’m talking about neatness for the players we have and those who will come. It is an aspect that has failed us. We need to be more reliable in the position game and not to suffer.”
The importance of having versatile players
“Yes, also different profiles. We also have players at home capable of adapting in different situations. It is important, too.”
Barça Femení playing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final
“Wish them luck. They are doing an extraordinary job. I will see it at home, I wish them the best, and that they bring the title home against a rocky Lyon. I will be one more culé.”
The preseason summer tour
“We would like to do the preseason closer. We will start on July 4. We have time to prepare. We will travel to the U.S., and from the first day competing.”
