Xavi gives Dembele update and hails ‘spectacular’ Gavi
Robin Bairner
- 12 Feb 2022 16:09 GMT
- 3 min read
Barcelona head coach Xavi has been forced to once again outline his plans for Ousmane Dembele before the end of the season.
Dembele has refused to sign a contract extension with Barca, and with a deal that expires in June, he is free to discuss terms with clubs from abroad.
The Catalan side had indicated in January that they would not play him during the second half of the season if the situation persisted and told the France winger to find a new club.
No deal was done, though, leaving Barcelona with little option but to perform an embarrassing U-turn on their previous statement.
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Dembele returned to the Barca squad for last weekend’s game as they dismantled Atletico Madrid 4-1, although he spent the afternoon pinned to the bench.
Xavi has now given a further update on where the attacker’s position in the squad lies.
“I already said that I had the idea of making him play the second half against Atlético. He's one of the team and he'll help us for sure. He's a team player and I'll decide when he plays or not,” he said.
Barca, meanwhile, moved to reinforce their attacking options in the January transfer window by adding Ferran Torres and Adama Traore to their ranks – two players who can both perform out wide.
Dembele’s opportunities, then, are likely to be restricted.
Xavi hails Gavi
Meanwhile, Gavi is another player whose contract has been making football transfer news headlines. The prodigious midfielder is subject to talk over a new deal with Barcelona, with the idea that the club increases the value of his €50 million release clause in order to put off suitors.
There is no question that Xavi is a fan of the 17-year-old Spain international.
“The situations where he steals balls, which are many, when he puts pressure after losses, it’s extraordinary,” he said. “He turns very well, he knows how to retain shape, he knows how to be the third man, he knows when he has to come inside. At just 17 years old his performance is spectacular. It’s wonderful to train him.”
Gavi is expected to sign a new Barcelona deal imminently.
