Xavi spoke about Kounde’s registration, Aubameyang’s future, Balde’s role, Pablo Torre’s exit on loan, Busquets’s absence, and the match against Real Sociedad.
Xavi on the match against Real Sociedad:
“La Real is a rival that does many things well. They’re a good, intense side. Our goal is to win.”
Xavi on Koundé’s registration:
“We’re waiting to see. We will name the squad [Sunday] to gain some time. It’s all on standby atm. No news for now”
Xavi on Aubameyang’s future:
“We don’t know what will happen. Right now he’s our player, he’s important but the circumstances will tell.”
Xavi on signing new players:
“At the moment neither Auba nor Memphis have left. If there is an offer for any of them, we’ll see how the squad turns out to be. Now the priority is to register Koundé.”
Xavi on Busquets’s red card:
“I have players who can play there. Kessié, De Jong and Pjanić for example.”
Xavi on Casemiro leaving Madrid:
“He’s been an important, key player for them. They lose an important player, but these are decisions from our rivals.”
Xavi on Ferran Torres:
“He’s trained very well this week. He’s focused and 100% involved. He has to be a key player for us. He’s also a goal scorer. I see him more on the wing, but he has the ability to play in the middle as well.”
Xavi on the defeat against Rayo:
“We are going to fight for everything, but we have to be humble and work hard. Against Rayo, we had to win, but we weren’t clinical at all.”
Xavi on the need to strengthen positions in the team:
“My ideas are clear. The President and the sports area know it. There is time.”
Xavi on Balde’s role:
“I count on him. He has done a great pre-season. I think Balde is a great player who’s capable of competing with Alba.”
Xavi on the transfer market’s duration:
“I’ve always thought that the market should shut before the league starts. This is poorly organized and doesn’t make much sense.”
Xavi on free-kick takers in the team:
“We practice direct free-kicks every training session. There’s a list.”
Xavi on Kounde’s possible role:
“I prefer Koundé as a center-back.”
Xavi on signing a Right Back:
“We wanted to sign Azpilicueta and it couldn’t be. We’ll have to see what we do… We have players who can adapt to this position. Dest? He knows about the situation.”
Xavi o Pablo Torre’s future:
“Perhaps we value a loan for Pablo Torre.”
Xavi on taking the responsibility:
“I feel that the pressure is directed at me and this is what I tell the players, that the pressure is directed at me now. I want them to play without fear.”
Xavi on Frenkie’s role:
“Frenkie de Jong is a spectacular player, with a lot of leadership. I see him more as an interior, but he can also adapt to playing as a pivot. As a full-back? I don’t see him there.”
