Xavi Hernández, former Barcelona coach, had ambitious plans in mind for the team’s future, according to sources from ESPN. Despite his recent sacking, Xavi was looking to make significant changes to the squad if he stayed on as the coach. One of the areas he wanted to focus on was revamping the attack by moving on key players like Robert Lewandowski, João Félix, João Cancelo, and Vitor Roque.
Among the players that Xavi aimed to part ways with, Robert Lewandowski was a notable name. Despite being the top goal scorer for the team, Lewandowski, at the age of 35, still had two years left on his contract. The Polish striker expressed his desire to stay at Barcelona, but Xavi had different plans in mind. Additionally, loanees João Félix and João Cancelo, both represented by influential agent Jorge Mendes, were also on Xavi’s list of potential departures.
Agents like Pini Zahavi and Jorge Mendes hold considerable power at Barcelona, influencing player movements and decisions. João Félix and João Cancelo, both under Mendes’ representation, were loaned out to the LaLiga side this season. However, Xavi was not keen on bringing them back for the upcoming season. The influence of agents like Zahavi and Mendes extends to other players at Barcelona as well, shaping the club’s transfer strategies.
Vitor Roque, the young Brazilian striker, faced challenges in finding playing time under Xavi’s leadership. Despite joining Barcelona mid-season for a substantial fee, Roque failed to make a significant impact on the field. Xavi had initially envisioned a different development path for Roque, hinting at a potential departure or a different strategy to nurture his talent. Roque’s agent, Andre Cury, emphasized that his client’s focus was on a permanent transfer rather than a loan deal for the next season.
In his final game as Barcelona coach, Xavi led the team to a 2-1 victory over Sevilla, ending the season as runners-up in LaLiga without any silverware. Despite the disappointment of not securing a trophy, Xavi’s commitment to the team’s success was evident in his tactical decisions and overall leadership. The news of his potential squad overhaul added an element of uncertainty to Barcelona’s future, with fans and analysts speculating on the direction the club would take under new management.
Overall, Xavi Hernández’s tenure at Barcelona was marked by both promise and challenges. His grand plans for rebuilding the squad and creating a new dynamic in the attack showcased his ambition as a coach. However, the realities of player contracts, agent influence, and performance difficulties posed obstacles to his vision. As Barcelona moves forward from Xavi’s era, the shadow of his proposed changes lingers, leaving a question mark on the team’s future trajectory.
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