Xavi Needed to Promote 5 Barcelona Stars Earlier than Controversial Exit: Stories

In a surprising turn of events, Xavi Hernandez, the former Barcelona manager, expressed his desire to part ways with five key players before his unexpected exit from the club this summer. According to reports from Barca Blaugranes, Xavi’s views clashed with those of club president Joan Laporta, ultimately leading to his controversial sacking.

The players on Xavi’s chopping block were Robert Lewandowski, Joao Felix, Oriol Romeu, Marcos Alonso, and Vitor Roque. Let’s delve into the details of each player’s situation:

1. Robert Lewandowski: The prolific Polish striker found himself in Xavi’s crosshairs. However, Laporta disagreed with the idea of parting ways with Lewandowski, considering him a key asset for the team. Incoming manager Hansi Flick also sees Lewandowski as integral to his plans.
2. Joao Felix: The talented Portuguese forward had an expiring loan deal with Barcelona. Under Xavi’s management, he struggled to secure a regular spot in the starting lineup. Despite this, Laporta maintained a positive relationship with Joao Felix’s agent, Jorge Mendes, leaving the door open for a potential continuation at Camp Nou.
3. Oriol Romeu: The Spanish midfielder fell down the pecking order during Xavi’s tenure. His departure seemed imminent, but Laporta’s reservations prevented it from happening sooner.
4. Marcos Alonso: The left-back faced similar challenges under Xavi’s leadership. Although Alonso’s playing time diminished, Laporta hesitated to let him go.
5. Vitor Roque: The young talent was considered for a loan move, but the situation remained uncertain. Roque’s future hung in the balance as Xavi aimed to reshape the squad.

Xavi initially announced his decision to quit at the end of the season back in January. However, Barcelona managed to convince the La Liga-winning manager to reconsider and fulfill his contract until 2025. Despite this effort, Laporta ultimately decided to part ways with Xavi due to their differing visions for the team

As Barcelona navigates these changes, they are also eyeing potential signings. Luis Diaz from Liverpool has caught their attention, but the financial constraints may require creative solutions. Could Raphinha, who has performed well for Barcelona since joining from Leeds United, be part of a deal to bring Diaz to Camp Nou? Time will tell.