Franck Kessie, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer from AC Milan, has already made an impression on his new club during pre-season training.
According to Diario Sport, the new signing has impressed the club's coaches in his first few training sessions. "It's a wonderful feeling." "He has surprised us very positively," Xavi's staff says.
Kessie is known for his physical strength, but he has made an impact with the ball at Barcelona. The Ivorian has shown a "good touch" and technical ability in the team's famous training ground rondos.
The 27-year-old could make his Barcelona debut soon. On Wednesday, July 13, the Catalans will play their first pre-season friendly against local team Olot.
Kessie has only been at the club for a week but has impressed in training, especially since midfielders Sergio Busquets, Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong only returned to pre-season training on Monday. In June, the trio was granted extended leave due to international obligations.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Xavi's newest signing needed convincing to move to the Camp Nou because he did not believe he possessed the necessary 'Barcelona DNA.' The midfielder inquired as to why Xavi desired him at Barcelona and was told precisely where he would fit in.
When Xavi first approached the midfielder, he said, "Kessie, I need you." The coach explained that he needs strong, experienced midfielders to protect other stars like Pedri and Gavi.
Xavi used former midfielders Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita as examples to explain to Kessie how the team has frequently had players "who do not have Barca DNA" but can still play an important role in the squad.
Kessie has already stated how influential Yaya has been in his career thus far. After being unveiled as a new Barcelona player, the new signing spoke about his compatriot at a press conference.
"My hero is Yaya Toure," he says. "He's a fantastic player who, like me, is Ivorian. I've had the good fortune to play with him, and I want to have a career as successful as his.
Kessie will still have to fight his way into the starting XI next season. Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Pedri, and Nico Gonzalez are currently in Xavi's first-team squad.
Last season, Busquets, De Jong, and Pedri were Xavi's preferred midfield three, but that could change in 2022-23. According to Kessie, Xavi believes he can be an important player for the Catalan giants.
You can be happy when a coach with a name like Xavi calls you up. That means your work has been recognized, and it is of high quality. I talked to him, he added. "Not many players can say they are coming to Barcelona to be a part of the best team in the world.
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