Xavi Hernández

[barcanuck]

Xavi looks to have mentally checked out. He doesn't go for any thru balls in the box anymore just safe lateral passes. One of the best passers ever no doubt. Maybe he is planning to leave and that's why we dont see any intensity from him.

 

[Jadentheman]

In that case, all of you better get used to Roberto

 

[BerkeleyBernie]

Xavi looks to have mentally checked out. He doesn't go for any thru balls in the box anymore just safe lateral passes. One of the best passers ever no doubt. Maybe he is planning to leave and that's why we dont see any intensity from him.

Maybe he is planning not to lose the ball passing to non-existent runners in the heavily congested middle of Atletico's box.

Where there were plays to be made tiki-taka up the middle, Xavi participated. You can't pass a through ball when there is no space in behind for players to attack. It was clear the Barça plan this game was to try to penetrate from the left wing.

 

[Gohan]

NY Red Bulls? What is this? A joke? It's a bad one.

 

[FCBarca]

Thought he looked a shadow of his old self on the night, tbh...We have grown so accustomed to him bossing the midfield that when he can't dictate the tempo, it's hard to comprehend...It's the area of the midfield that needs the most help, a box to box midfielder that can move the ball vertically under pressure rather than continue to move backwards...It routinely blunted most attacks on the night

 

[khaled_a_d]

Don't know how I feel about that rumor,I am not sure how credible is the source
On one hand Xavi is a club legend ,you always want those guys to stay,VV is leaving,Puyol probably retiring ,to lose 3 players of that caliber who are your top 3 in the Captain list would be tough
On the other hand ,it might be what we need to realize that this team need some change ,we need to get over Pep tbh,he was the club greatest manager but now is a different era (sadly) ,we need some youth and to shake things a little tbh
then again,I have no trust in Zubi tbh

In that case, all of you better get used to Roberto

Probably not,If Xavi leave that means our top priority and most of our summer budget will go to midfield player(which means that we won't get a new CB ) ,with Rafinha coming back he will play over Roberto anyway

 

[KhaledBarca]

That would be a big mistake, he should stay at least for 2016. But ee do need another CM and I would go for Gundogan!
I'm not sure about Sergi Roberto especially with Rafinha back next season. Maybe, a 1 year loan for Roberto to a team like Celta with Enrique would be a good idea to see what he can do with more regular time.

Xavi/Gundogan - Busquets (Song/Samper) - Cesc/Iniesta (Rafinha)
*if Samper does well, I might even sell Song and give Samper more time & Gundogan can also rotate with Busquets.
We'll have 7 midfielders for 3 positions with Cesc/Rafinha playing as false 9 from time to time!

 

[The Observer]

Predictable "journalism". Xavi gives interview that it is hard to retire at Barca. 2 days later all kind of "ITKs" have information that he is having talks with an MLS club where a former teammate plays. That creativity.

 

[barca1899]

The talks on a transfer of Barcelona midfielder Xavi (33) to New York Red Bulls in the summer are well-advanced. [sky italia]

 

[The Observer]

Sky Italia reporting something like that does worry me however. :icon_neutral:

 

[ThwiX]

 

[Irish_Cules]

As much as I'd like Xavi to retire at Barca it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Cesc will finally get the chance to establish himself as the main centre midfielder. As long as Xavi is around his reputation will see him start games that he probably shouldn't and Cesc deserves the chance to cement his place.If Xavi was to leave he might even have that in mind, recognising that it's time for him to pass on the torch.

 

[Chainsaw]

Mediatards

 

[CatalinR10]

Time to get Gundokan i guess...

 

[The Observer]

As much as I'd like Xavi to retire at Barca it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Cesc will finally get the chance to establish himself as the main centre midfielder. As long as Xavi is around his reputation will see him start games that he probably shouldn't and Cesc deserves the chance to cement his place.If Xavi was to leave he might even have that in mind, recognising that it's time for him to pass on the torch.

I'm all for passing the torch considering Xavi's age. But please not to Fabregas in central midfield areas. :icon_neutral: The club better have a pre-deal with someone like Gündogan wrapped up. Going into the next season with only Fabregas and Iniesta as senior central midfielders would be foolish. Iniesta staying healthy shouldn't be taken for granted for starters. He's fragile. He's only injury-free in recent times.