A year ago
Xavi continues to have faith in Barcelona's misfiring attacker.
Ferran Torres' stock has fallen in the current season after a strong start to his career with Barcelona.
The 22-year-old joined the club in January of last year in a deal worth €55 million plus add-ons from Manchester City. And, despite a few gaffes, Torres was instrumental in Barcelona finishing second in La Liga last season.
However, the former Valencia attacker's form has deteriorated this season. Torres' importance and stature within the Barcelona camp have steadily decreased as the season has progressed, with the forward now being the fifth-choice under Xavi.
Torres is ranked lower than Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha, and Ansu Fati. Furthermore, with Xavi recently shifting tactics and using Gavi as a pseudo left winger, the former Manchester City man's game-time has been reduced even further.
However, according to SPORT's Ferran Correas, Xavi still believes in Torres and wants to'recover' him for the rest of the season as Barcelona competes for three trophies.
The manager has gradually been able to get the best out of Raphinha and Franck Kessie in recent matches, and he intends to do the same with Torres in the coming weeks, with the Blaugrana facing a fixture pile-up.
Torres has had a difficult start to the new year, having failed to start any of the club's six La Liga matches in 2023, missing two due to suspension.
He was also left out of Xavi's starting XI in the Spanish Super Cup, and he failed to score or assist in his two Copa del Rey appearances this season.
Torres did play a bit more frequently prior to the World Cup break, but his numbers were not all that impressive either, with only two league goals and all three UEFA Champions League strikes coming against Viktoria Plzen.
Torres' decline in form and stature has fueled speculation about a summer exit. Xavi, on the other hand, believes in the 22-year-old and regards him as a valuable player because of his ability to play anywhere along the frontline and his understanding of the game.
Torres' confidence is currently lacking, and the Barcelona manager hopes that the forward will regain it soon and develop into an important player for the team in the second half of the season.
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