Fc Barcelona’s President Joan Laporta spoke about Robert Lewandowski’s signing, Dembele’s renewal, strengthening the defense, Xavi’s project, and, the efforts of Alemany and Jordi Cruyff.
President Laporta on signing Lewandowski:
“Every top team has a ‘killer’ striker up top. Now, we have secured that too. I think Johan Cruyff would have supported the Lewandowski deal. The Lewandowski deal ended with £45M + £5M variables. We competed with Paris and Chelsea for Lewandowski and he wanted to join us.”
“With Lewandowski, we have a guaranteed scorer. He is like a machine gun to score goals. We must thank him because with us he receives less money. We made him an offer within our capabilities and the player understood that and reduced his salary.”
President Laporta on Dembele’s renewal:
“Dembélé wants to succeed with Barcelona, he will help us a lot. He is a great player and a great person! He also recently married, he’s introverted and sweet.”
President Laporta on strengthening the defense:
“I can’t give you names, but we will now strengthen our defense – Xavi has given us six names. I hope Culers will enjoy them.”
President Laporta on building a competitive team:
“We are on the right track for that, but we still have to work. We are getting there. “We are building this team for Culers to have a good time with us, and so that Xavi can carry out his project. The dream is for Barcelona to be competitive again.”
“The team for the future is starting to take shape: Araujo, Pedri, Gavi, Eric García, Nico, Ansu Fati, and Ferran Torres. All of them are under 21 and some are even 17.”
President Laporta on winning sextuple again:
“We are ambitious. We won 6 trophies once in one year, why can’t we repeat it? My dream is to make Barca the global reference in football again.”
President Laporta on the mistakes of the past:
“Today Barcelona will not repeat the mistakes of the past. We will move with caution, and we will not have players who do not adapt to our conditions.”
President Laporta on Alemany and Jordi Cruyff:
“Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff are doing a great job in the football department. Also with Rafa Yuste as the vice president, and Enric Masip helping. We have a phenomenal team that is working to meet our goals.”
President Laporta on Xavi’s project:
“Pressure, passion, possession. That is what Xavi is trying to implement at Barca. With the young players and the experienced ones, look at this team starting to take shape. Everything has to be synchronized and coordinated. It’s an orchestra with Xavi directing.”
