As Xavi’s first full season at FC Barcelona comes to an end, his presence in the team has understandably been quite important for reasons other than silverware as well. Despite having won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup this season, the manager also kickstarted a revolution in another sense.
Since his arrival in the 2021/2022 season for FC Barcelona, the manager has been present as a majority of the squad from that season would end up inevitably leaving FC Barcelona either permanently or on loan to various places across Europe to filter out the players that the Catalan coach truly counts on within the team.
As noted by Mundo Deportivo, there have been a huge number of departures since that time. Out of the initial list of 25 players that began the season as part of FC Barcelona, only 9 players currently remain within Xavi’s squad, with the possibility of that number decreasing, even more, being quite possible.
The likes of Barcelona veterans Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets had all decided to depart the club on their own accord over the season and the latter two are set to have their farewell in front of the Camp Nou faithful in the upcoming game against Mallorca just as Pique did in a game against Almeria.
On the other hand, players including Memphis Depay, Luuk De Jong, Riqui Puig, Miralem Pjanic, Martin Braithwaite, Neto, Coutinho, and Oscar Mingueza were all transferred by FC Barcelona permanently to their new clubs as the coaching staff and board considered them surplus to requirements.
On the other hand, Sergio Aguero, who had arrived from Manchester City on a free transfer, had to stop playing the game altogether through the season due to medical conditions that could permanently have jeopardized his heart.
Some players are currently out on loan as well. Sergino Dest, Samuel Umtiti, and Clement Lenglet are all currently temporarily playing for other clubs on loan from Barcelona. However, the Catalan club is reportedly looking to sell all three players in question upon the conclusions of their respective loan durations.
Out of the 9 players still left from that initial 2021/2022 list of players, Ansu Fati is one that is currently in the turbulence of transfer rumors and reports linking him to Wolverhampton Wanderers in a deal that could involve Portuguese player Ruben Neves and an enticing €30 million on top of that.
