Barcelona’s recent 4-2 defeat at the hands of local rivals Girona is set to wide-ranging consequences, as far as the club’s squad planning for next season is concerned.
Coach Xavi Hernandez, in particular, is facing the heat once again despite confirming his desire to remain at Camp Nou a little more than a week ago.
With pressure mounting, Xavi is determined to make significant changes to the team ahead of the next season, aiming for more than just a small makeover.
Barcelona coach eyeing another ‘Xavi’
Among Xavi’s ambitious plans is the return of Dutch talent Xavi Simons to Camp Nou, according to Diario SPORT.
Simons, who previously shone in Barcelona’s youth ranks before joining Paris Saint-Germain, has caught Xavi’s eye with his versatility, and goal-scoring ability. The coach sees him as a player who can inject creativity and flair into the team’s attack.
Currently on loan at RB Leipzig, Xavi Simons has been involved in 24 goals in all competitions this term – emerging as one of the club’s top performers.
Keeping Simons’ success in mind, Xavi is now banking on Deco’s negotiation skills to bring the former La Masia starlet back to Catalonia.
Several complications for Barcelona
However, the road to Simons’ return is fraught with obstacles. Despite Xavi’s keen interest, PSG are adamant about keeping hold of the young midfielder, viewing him as a valuable asset with immense potential.
Moreover, PSG’s coach, Luis Enrique, intends to include Simons in his plans for the upcoming season, citing the player’s growth during his loan spell.
Complicating matters further is PSG’s strong ties with RB Leipzig, who hold a priority option for Simons’ loan if they so desire. This alliance could potentially tip the scales in Leipzig’s favour, should they express interest in securing Simons’ services again.
Deco thus faces the daunting task of negotiating with PSG for Simons’ return, knowing full well the club’s limited financial resources and PSG’s reluctance to part ways with the promising midfielder.
