Xavi Hernandez gave a comprehensive interview to ‘Sport’ this Monday, including a review of the season, his feelings as a coach, the future of the team, the list of signings up and down, the status of their renewal, criticism from the environment and of course , Regarding Leo Messi’s situation.
Real Madrid: “The key to the season was our 3-1 defeat at the Bernabeu. There was a before and after. In that game we lost all the values ​​that I ask for from a player on the field. So after the game I found myself Decided to close and open up together. Open hearted conversation between coach and players. I let them speak for themselves. I was alone in front of them. There wasn’t even staff here. It was a long conversation of about two hours. And it was very was positive. From there, the team set itself apart and went on a series of consecutive wins. It was the global click of the season.
Messi: “His return matters to me. It will help us in football. He remains the decider, the leader and the winner. Singh has the upper hand. I don’t know what doubt you might have. Maybe it’s already another project, or that Busquets and Alba won’t be there… I’ve been very clear with them. If he wants to come, I open the doors for him. No doubt”.
Anu Fati: “I didn’t want Aubameyang to go, but in the end we are in a situation where everything depends on ‘fair play’. In the end it will depend on whether it compensates us or not.”
Kaunde: “No case has come up. I met him and made it clear to him that he had come to play central defender, but he has adapted very well to winger this season due to scripted circumstances. He admitted to me that he is more comfortable as a center back than as a winger. Case closed”.
Frankie de Jong: “We’ve got him in the right position on the pitch. I have blind faith in him. Earlier, it was difficult for him to maintain his position, but thanks to the videos, he has improved a lot. He can still improve tactically, especially defensively.”
Dembele: “People don’t know him. He is very smart in playing football. He is a footballer with a difference. It is true that sometimes it is head or tail, but the extreme is that, or ten or zero.
Zubimendi: “I don’t like to talk about players from other clubs who get angry with me later. I already said that I think he is a great footballer. You have to go for this kind of profile, top level. An intelligent player, tactically excellent, a winner of duels, who plays well in the air, who is very complete in every way. The minimum level should be 9″ out of 10″.
Update: “I wish to have a long career here. I have already said that there will be no problem. 90% of it will happen very soon”.
Transfers: “The ideal scenario would be to strengthen ourselves with six players. The team needs to be stronger and better in all lines, especially from midfield to the forwards.
Environment: “I can understand the criticism coming from Madrid, but the most damaging are those that come from home. That if the staff is of no worth, that the coach is not ready, that signing Xavi is a mistake, that Being a coach is not the same as being a player. It hurts. We already know how business is in Madrid, but the criticism here worries and hurts me.
