Xavi – CaughtOffside

Tottenham ace at the top of Barcelona’s January wish list after Gavi injury

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 07:17:15 +0000

Tottenham Hotspur need to be on their guard for an approach from Barcelona for one of their players in January.

The north Londoners could provide the key to unlocking the Catalan’s current issues, exacerbated by the recent injury to talented midfielder, Gavi.

The effervescent youngster won’t play again this season, and is likely to miss Euro 2024 as a result of the knee injury that he suffered in a meaningless qualifier – given that La Roja had already qualified from their group as champions.

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If there is to be a saving grace, then it is that the next transfer window is just around the corner and, according to Mundo Deportivo, La Liga are giving the Catalan club some leeway in terms of new signings precisely because of what’s happened to Gavi.

The outlet note that it’s Spurs’ Gio Lo Celso that is at the top of Barcelona’s wish list once the window opens for business on January 1.

Giovani Lo Celso of Tottenham

He was favoured by Xavi in the summer, but the club’s financial situation conspired against them and the player never arrived.

It appears that they’ll push hard again in the new year, in the hope that the player’s will and Ange Postecoglou’s acquiescence sees the deal go through without too much trouble.

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Gavi could miss Euro 2024 as Barcelona ace reportedly tears ACL

Jason Pettigrove — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 07:28:05 +0000

It was a sight that no Barcelona or Spain supporter will have wanted to see, and it was obvious as Gavi hobbled off in tears from La Roja’s meaningless final Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia that there was a big injury problem for the youngster.

Only Luis de la Fuente can explain why he felt the need to play major stars in a match that win, lose or draw, Spain would still have ended the qualifying campaign atop their group.

Gavi’s suspected Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury is expected to be confirmed sometime on Monday, and should that be so, then his season is likely over already.

?? Barça expect Gavi’s ACL injury to be confirmed later today as the player is already back in Barcelona.

Initial indications are clear; Gavi was crying in the dressing room before and after the tests.

Barça, furious as they don’t understand why Gavi had to play that game. pic.twitter.com/PRpayuU08P

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 20, 2023

That would be the biggest of blows for Barcelona, after all it was he who was a clear man of the match in the recent El Clasico, despite Jude Bellingham grabbing all the headlines with his late double.

At 19 years of age, he produced one of the most dominant individual displays in a Clasico for years.

Now, however, he’ll be hoping that he can make the European Championship in Germany next summer.

As Cleveland Clinic note, it takes six to nine months to recover from an ACL injury, so the youngster is likely to be in a race against time to make Euro 2024, given that the tournament begins on June 14, approximately seven months from now.

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€60m midfielder wanted by Arsenal eyed by Xavi as Romeu flops at Barcelona

Jason Pettigrove — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 07:09:16 +0000

News that Gavi is likely to miss the rest of the 2023/24 campaign after sustaining an injury with Spain, allayed to the long-term absences of Pedri (now back) and Frenkie de Jong, as well as the poor form of Oriol Romeu is likely to see Xavi dip into the transfer market for a midfielder next summer.

To date, the Barcelona coach seemingly hasn’t been able to pick his first-choice XI once this season because of injuries and suspensions.

That has already been seen to have had a marked effect on where the Catalans find themselves in the table, for if they’d had a fully fit squad and starting XI, Barca would almost certainly sit atop the table once again.

The issue that the club find themselves having to deal with again of course is Financial Fair Play.

Martin Zubimendi

Sport have suggested that Xavi will go all out to sign Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi next summer, however, the club will almost certainly have to offload players in order to be able to bring him to the club.

Aside from Romeu, it isn’t clear who they would allow to leave so room can be made for the soon-to-be 25-year-old.

Though Zubimendi has generally expressed a desire to stay at La Real, by next summer he may re-assess his aspirations, particularly if Barca show willing.

That would be a huge blow to Mikel Arteta as Arsenal have previously been heavily linked with the player, including by Calciomercato.

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Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati appears to have already made a decision on his future

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 11:48:19 +0000

Ansu Fati has really been enjoying himself of late at Brighton and Hove Albion, and is beginning to recapture the form that made him a breakout star at Barcelona.

The youngster is really beginning to find his groove with the Seagulls, and as WhoScored note, he has three goals, an assist and a man-of-the-match award in his last six games.

If he continues finding the back of the net for the Premier League outfit, Roberto De Zerbi would surely be keen to make his loan arrangement from the Catalan giants more permanent.

Ever since he suffered a serious knee injury which really stunted his progress, it’s been a long, hard road back to fitness for Fati, though he’s playing with a smile on his face again and that’s important.

Brighton have helped him to get his mojo back, and it hindsight, it was probably the best decision that Ansu and his representatives could’ve made.

However, his south coast sojourn would seem to be fleeting at best.

That’s because, according to Sport, the player wants to return to Barcelona at the end of the current season and prove his worth at the club.

The outlet go on to say that Fati believes he’s a better option coming in from the left side than Xavi has there currently.

Given he could likely make Barca a pretty penny in transfer fees, it’ll be a strong negotiation between all parties at the end of 2023/24, if Barca’s views don’t align with those of Fati and his representatives.

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‘Crucial player’ – Contract issues could force rethink for Barcelona ace

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 09:17:47 +0000

Barcelona’s well documented financial problems, which appeared to begin under the presidency of Josep Maria Bartomeu, have reared their ugly head again and potentially caused a rift with one of the club’s most reliable players.

At a time when the Catalan giants can well do without any more problems, it appears that their lack of funds at this moment has landed them with one.

Although he’s been out of action for a while, there’s little doubt that Frenkie de Jong is the conduit through which much of Barcelona’s best work flows.

One minute back helping out in defence, the next marauding forward to assist or score a goal, de Jong is as near to an indispensable exponent as it’s possible to be.

However, he’s going to have to wait for his reward.

Speaking to CaughtOffside for his exclusive Daily Briefing column, Fabrizio Romano said:

“I wanted to clarify something on Frenkie de Jong’s contract because it’s important to say that Barcelona will not be extending any other contracts this year.

“Not for the Dutchman, for Ronald Araujo or anyone else. It’s because of Financial Fair Play and so they’re not changing any salaries or any contracts in November and December.

“[…] He’s a crucial player as Laporta said many times, so the discussion will take place but it has to be 2024, not now.”

Xavi does have a number of options in the middle of the park at present, but the Dutchman gives his XI something different.

He is the tempo setter for want of a better phrase and the Blaugranes look a far more balanced and cohesive outfit with him in it.

The quicker that his contract difficulties are ironed out, the better for all concerned, or else it could force the player into a rethink.

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Newcastle set to raid Barcelona for highly-rated 23-year-old ace

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 08:06:37 +0000

With the January transfer window just a few weeks away, Newcastle might be expected to be one of the busier Premier League clubs in the marketplace.

An incredible 13 players out at present, per Premier Injuries, is only likely to be halved at best by the time the window opens in the new year, prompting Eddie Howe to make one or two needed additions.

If the players bought slot in as well as most of the buys that have been made recently, it could be the difference between success and failure in the domestic cup competitions and also the Champions League if the Magpies make it to the knockout stages.

Ferran Torres celebrates a goal for Barcelona

According to Fichajes, Newcastle will aim to tempt Barcelona’s Ferran Torres back to the Premier League.

The former Man City ace hasn’t reproduced his best form often enough to justify a regular spot in Xavi’s starting XI, though has shown flashes for Spain, and therefore remains a prize capture.

With Howe a little further forward than Xavi in his tactical appreciation, it may well be that the north east giants get the best out of Torres too.

It isn’t clear at this stage what the fee for his services would be, but given his lack of matches of late, the expectation would be that it’s not prohibitive.

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Chelsea and Arsenal willing to pay €70m for Barcelona ace next summer

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 08:56:51 +0000

Regardless of where Barcelona finish at the end of the current La Liga season, it’s almost certain that the club will continue to try and cash in on one or two of their stars.

Still evidently mired in debt after the tenure of Josep Maria Bartomeu as president, it appears that the club are continuing to need all of the help that they can get in order to haul themselves back towards something approaching a level playing field financially.

If they’re able to sacrifice a player for a decent amount of money, there are obvious benefits.

According to Fichajes, former Leeds United winger, Raphinha, is interesting both Arsenal and Chelsea who would, apparently, be willing to part with around €70m to bring the player back to the Premier League.

Raphinha celebrates a goal for Barcelona

At that price, he would represent a reasonable profit for the Catalan giants as well as the buying club knowing that they have an experienced Premier League player within their ranks who, on his day, is a real game changer.

Barcelona have a ready made replacement in Lamine Yamal who, whilst only being 16 years of age, has already shown that he’s more than capable of plugging the gap.

Any deal, should it happen, won’t take place until the summer, however this certainly appears to be one to watch.

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Atletico Madrid in talks with Barcelona flop over 2024 switch

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 09:08:04 +0000

The avenues of communication between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid remain open despite the recent transfer issues caused by the Antoine Griezmann and Joao Felix moves.

Both La Liga giants have begun the 2023/24 campaign in reasonable enough form and are separated by just two points at present.

Atleti also have a game in hand and were they to win it, or their upcoming game against the Catalans, they would leapfrog them into third position in the table.

It’s arguable that the Rojiblancos under Diego Simeone are a more coherent and complete outfit than Barcelona under Xavi, and that was perhaps never better underlined than by their respective results in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Barca were downed 1-0 by Shakhtar Donetsk, whilst Atleti took Celtic to the cleaners and handed out a 6-0 drubbing.

Marcos Alonso was part of the Barca side that only needed a point to qualify for the knockout stages of the premier European competition, but he was subbed in the second half after a poor showing.

Indeed, his entire time with the club hasn’t really seen him make his mark and so news, via Football Transfers, that he’s in talks with Atletico over a switch in 2024 isn’t too much of a surprise.

If Barcelona truly wish to progress, then allowing the 32-year-old to move on is a decision that they need to make.

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Surprise future destination mooted for Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 10:25:09 +0000

Currently plying his trade at Brighton and Hove Albion, Ansu Fati could make a surprise career switch at the end of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.

The youngster, who burst onto the scene at Barcelona and was evidently the heir apparent to Lionel Messi, hasn’t been the same player since a serious knee injury robbed him of his natural ability to anticipate chances arriving and burying them with aplomb.

Where once if the ball was fed to Ansu there was every chance he would find the net, the confidence had seemingly gone post injury as chance after chance went begging.

At present, he’s trying to recapture his initial form under Roberto De Zerbi, and three goals in his last seven games per WhoScored is clear evidence that this is the case.

There doesn’t appear to be any chance of a renaissance for the player at Barcelona, given their loan purchase of Joao Felix, which may turn permanent at the end of the season.

Notwithstanding that Vitor Roque will also arrive in January, Marc Guiu has hit the ground running after an astonishing debut and there is plenty of other competition for places up front at the club.

Estadio Deportivo suggest that, in fact, Ansu’s future could be in the Saudi Pro League with its embarrassment of riches and the chance for the player to really make a name for himself.

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Barcelona vs Real Madrid team news

Connor Holden — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 19:38:43 +0000

Barcelona (3rd in La Liga) take on Real Madrid (1st in La Liga) on Saturday 28th of October, at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, at 15:15 PM (BST).

The last time these two sides faced, Real Madrid smashed Barcelona 4-0 in the 2nd leg of the Semi Final in the Copa Del Rey.

Barcelona won their previous La Liga game, beating Athletic Club 1-0. The only goal being scored by Marc Guiu to secure the victory and three points.

Real Madrid drew their last La Liga game, drawing 1-1 with Sevilla. A goal from Dani Carvajal for Real Madrid and a David Alaba own goal for Sevilla.

How to watch Barcelona vs Real Madrid

Date: Saturday, October 28th, 2023
Kickoff: 15:15 PM (BST)
TV Network: Not broadcast in UK
Stream: Viaplay
Venue: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys

Team News:

Barcelona will be without Sergi Roberto, Jules Kounde and Pedri who are both out with injuries, whilst the likes of Joao Felix, Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong will undergo further fitness testing to determine their availability ahead of Saturday.

Real Madrid will remain without Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and Dani Ceballos through injury, whilst new signing Arda Guler has returned to training this week and could be in the squad.

Predicted XI:

Barcelona: ter Stegen, Balde, Martinez, Christensen, Cancelo, Gundogan, Romeu, Gavi, Lopez, Felix, Torres.

Real Madrid: Arrizabalaga, Mendy, Alaba, Rudiger, Carvajal, Tchouameni, Kroos, Valverde, Bellingham, Junior, Rodrygo.

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