The disrespect towards Xavi is immense.
Season 2021/22: Xavi arrived in November 2021 when Barcelona was in 9th place, with the team in complete disarray after Koeman's dismissal. He requested reinforcements from Laporta, Alemany, and the board, managing to secure:
- Ferran Torres: €55m
- Aubameyang: Free
- Adama Traoré: Free (loan)
- Dani Alves: Free
In just six months, Xavi propelled the team from 9th to 2nd place, including a stunning 4-0 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. This secured a Champions League spot and significantly improved the club's economic position.
Season 2022/23: Xavi's first full season saw him ask for quality players, and Laporta delivered:
- Raphinha: €58m
- Kounde: €50m
- Lewandowski: €45m
- Kessie: Free
- Christensen: Free
With his desired squad, Xavi led Barcelona to win the Super Cup against Real Madrid and secured their first league title in four years, setting a record for the best defensive performance in Europe’s top five leagues. It was a remarkable season, particularly for Xavi's first full year in charge.
Season 2023/24: Optimistic for new titles, Xavi faced a major setback with the departures of Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Ousmane Dembele. He replaced Alba with Balde and Cancelo but struggled to find a suitable replacement for Busquets. His requests for Zubimendi and Kimmich were denied, and the board only managed to provide Romeu, Xavi’s fifth choice. Dembele's exit left a significant gap, and despite Xavi's request for Bernardo Silva, the board again said no. Instead, Xavi turned to the academy, promoting Lamine Yamal.
Despite these challenges, Xavi secured Gündogan, Felix, Cancelo, and Inigo Martinez, all on free transfers. The club only spent €3.5m in the summer window. Key player sales included:
- Ousmane Dembele: €50m
- Griezmann: €22m
- Kessie: €12.5m
- Nico: €8m
- Abde: €7.5m
- Trincao: €7m
- Ansu Fati: Loan
- Eric Garcia: Loan
With inadequate replacements and a younger, less experienced team, it was unsurprising that Barcelona went trophyless, although they reached the Champions League quarterfinals. This outcome stemmed from a severe lack of support from the board.
As we approach the 2024/25 season, we’ve seen two successful seasons and one challenging one under Xavi. Fans need to be patient. Xavi is not to blame. Every manager has the right to request players, but with only €3m spent on low-priority targets and the loss of key players, expecting major titles is unrealistic.
Be patient. Trust Xavi. Trust the team. Trust the process. Focus on the positives Xavi has brought and don’t let one difficult season overshadow his contributions.
#EK10