Xavi spoke about rumors regarding Ansu Fati’s, Balde’s renewal, Setién’s Villarreal, his trust in Ansu Fati, Lewandowski’s mentality, Busquets’ absence, La Liga and Europa League, Roberto’s continuity, and Ter Stagen’s form in his pre-match press conference ahead of Barcelona vs Villarreal.
Xavi on Villarreal:
“Villarreal are a great team with a game philosophy that is quite similar to ours. Dani Parejo is an extraordinary player and Pepe Reina is very good with his feet. Whoever has the ball more will have more options.”
Xavi on facing Quique Setién:
“I consider that Setién is a great coach and it will be difficult. Villarreal can do something different, they have alternatives. But I think Setién’s philosophy is very similar to ours and I hold him in very high regard.”
Xavi on Ansu Fati being non-transferable:
“Yes, Ansu Fati is non-transferable. At this moment there is no one who is transferable. The market has finished, I don’t know what we are doing talking about sales, we are playing the season.”
Xavi on the rumors regarding Ansu Fati:
“We are talking about the sale of Ansu, who has not been talked about all month of January. I don’t understand it and less in the Barcelona environment. I have a lot of hope in him.”
Xavi on Busquets’ renewal:
“There will be no problem. He is very important and he knows it. His decision will determine what we do with him. It is his personal decision, he knows what we want.”
Xavi on his confidence in Ansu Fati:
“I have blind confidence in Ansu Fati. He is a player for the present and for the future. He has to have patience and give everything when he comes in, that he is doing.”
Xavi on Balde’s renewal:
“I have spoken with him today, we have had an individual meeting. He wants to stay, he is happy, I think we will have this player for many years, I don’t think there will be a problem.”
Xavi on Sergi Roberto’s renewal:
“He is very important. We insist that he can stay, we are close to being able to renew his contract. He is very professional, always with a good face. It is essential to have him in the squad, playing midfielder or winger.”
Xavi on Lewandowski’s winning mentality:
“The Super Cup has liberated us all a bit. Lewandowski is very used to winning titles at Bayern, he has brought us this winning, champion mentality. Defeat does not enter his head.”
Xavi on La Liga or Europa League:
“There’s no priority. Now I’m thinking about tomorrow’s game. We’ll see how the game ends and we’ll assess what we do on Thursday, but the game doesn’t condition me.”
Xavi on Busquet’s absence:
“We have alternatives to the loss of Busquets, I am not going to reveal the approach. We will miss him, also Ousmane. But we have alternatives to win.”
Xavi on giving two days off:
“Two days of rest have gone well. Important and intense games are coming up, with physical exhaustion. We have trained well.”
Xavi on Ter Stagen:
“Marc has many years left at the top level and he is at an extraordinary level. He is confident, and happy, and has earned weight in the locker room as captain.”
Xavi on Messi’s brother:
“If he has apologized, that’s it. I know the Messi family well, especially Leo. It’s a very humble family and one that has worked a lot. If he has apologized, that’s it, I’m the first to do so when I’m wrong.”
