Xavi only missing one piece of the puzzle for his dream midfield
In an interview with SPORT, Xavi Hernández, the Barcelona coach, emphasized the team's need for reinforcements in midfield and the attacking front. He acknowledged that while Barcelona may have sufficient numbers in these areas, they lack the quality options required. Furthermore, the departure of Sergio Busquets has left a significant void in the playmaking role.
Xavi has consistently stressed the importance of finding a top-quality replacement for Busquets, emphasizing the need for a standout player who can excel in that position. He firmly believes that another midfielder or experimental solution would not suffice. He consistently insists that Busquets' successor must be a player rated 9 or 10 out of 10. However, the pool of potential signings is limited for Barcelona.
Zubimendi is a player that Xavi would be interested in, but the financial constraints and Real Sociedad's unwillingness to let him go make the deal unlikely. Guido Rodriguez from Betis is gaining traction as a potential option, especially since Amrabat seems eager to make a decision about his future. Kimminch remains a dream signing with minimal chances of materializing. Securing a midfielder is crucial for Xavi to complete his ideal midfield setup.
The arrival of Ilkay Gündogan has already strengthened Barcelona's creative midfield profile, providing a significant boost in quality and competitiveness, particularly in the Champions League. Gündogan is an established player, serving as the captain of the reigning European champions, and has been instrumental for Manchester City in recent seasons. Xavi now possesses a midfield quartet consisting of Gündogan, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Gavi, all of whom are high-level players, internationals, and key choices for their respective national teams.
Pedri's injury had a detrimental impact on Robert Lewandowski, as the Polish striker lacked his preferred partner on the pitch. Gündogan's goal-scoring ability will be valuable for Barcelona, and he is expected to occupy the interior position, potentially in a double pivot alongside the incoming signing or alongside Frenkie de Jong. Xavi has granted de Jong more freedom to move, despite initially asking him to adopt a more positional role.
Gavi's competitive spirit and pressing work in the opposition half are vital attributes, although he still needs tactical improvement. Having Gündogan in the squad could greatly aid Gavi's development. Gündogan is a versatile midfielder who has played various roles throughout his career. Under Jürgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, he focused more on organizing play, utilizing his impressive technique. In recent years under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, he has showcased his finishing prowess by contributing numerous goals.
In summary, Xavi emphasized the need for reinforcements in midfield and the attacking front for Barcelona. The departure of Busquets has created a void that requires a top-quality replacement. Gündogan's arrival has already elevated the midfield's creativity, while the quartet of Gündogan, de Jong, Pedri, and Gavi provides a highly talented midfield lineup. Barcelona's focus now turns to securing another midfield signing and integrating Gündogan into their game plan to support Lewandowski's goal-scoring opportunities.
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