Xavi Hernández knows what he wants for his Barcelona but not if he can have it. Nor does the club know if he will be able to get closer or closer to the letter of requests from his coach. In fact, both do not know for sure how much money to sign and salary margin to register new players they have for this summer market. For this reason, the coach urges the Blaugrana leadership to calculate and tie as soon as possible the extraordinary income that may arrive – read the sale of 49% of Barça Licensing Merchandising and the agreement with CVC – to refloat the ship, know what to expect and start to plan safely. The economy, which was already decisive in the outcome of the Messi case, once again has the last word.
Desire and reality. An ideal world and the earthly world. Make houses of cards or keep your feet on the ground. Since his arrival at Barcelona, Xavi’s career has had to live with this duality between optimistic expectations and a more cautious vision. The coach has seen first-hand how difficult it is to combine his ideas with numbers and facts. He has passed in the field and also in the offices. Both in the game and in the transfers. It will be no different this summer for roster construction. The coach wants to raise the level but the reasonable question is to ask how far he can improve.
“The circumstances of the club are what rule. We have to know how we are to know who we can count on and who we can’t. We would like to decide more things but it is obvious that the economic situation marks our present and future”, he admitted. Everything is contingent.
The coach is an “important part of decision-making”, along with Mateu Alemany and President Laporta. But there is one factor that is above all of them. And it is the state of the box. “It depends on the economic situation. Soon we have to know how we are to start planning one thing or another. But you have to do it now. The economic situation keeps us at bay.”
That affects practically all footballers. To the continuity of Memphis, the negotiation with Dembélé and the search for a left-back and a midfielder. Also Frenkie de Jong, sanctioned for today. “He is a very important player for me. He has been a starter almost always. He is essential. But then there is the financial situation of the club. I like the player very much. But you have to see the whole situation, ”he reasoned, without closing the door on a possible way out.
Almost no one is saved from that equation. Although the technician has his red lines. There they are Pedri, Ansu Fati and Araújo, the three renewed this course with a clause of 1,000 million. “Of course there are untouchables, non-transferable and transferable. But we have to see where we are to maneuver, ”he insisted.
After more than half a year working with the squad, Xavi considers that important pieces are missing and not just specific accessories. “When you don’t win and you’re not competitive, many things have to be changed, of course,” he warned. Because the coach is very aware that being second can be the goal once but that “next year we have to compete”. “This year it has not come to us. You have to be self-critical. Next year we have to fight for titles. Starting next year, much more will be demanded of us”, he pointed out.
Although he is clear, Xavi has not yet communicated his decision to the discards. “We haven’t said anything because the course hasn’t finished.” Of course, as soon as Barça assures its presence in the Super Cup, it wants to start giving up with time.
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