One of Xavi’s summer signings could leave at the end of the season
Barcelona added many good players to their squad to fight for all the tournaments this campaign, but not all of them have succeeded so far.
Barcelona had a busy summer, as the Catalan giants brought in quite a few signings that were meant to make a difference in the most important games of the season.
However, after having spent a huge amount of money by activating economic levers to be able to sign despite the club’s unprecedented economic struggle, the results didn’t were the expected ones in the Champions League, where Barcelona were hopeful to go all the way or, in the worst scenario, compete until the final rounds.
Robert Lewandowski was the brightest star that landed at Camp Nou last summer, followed by Jules Koundé, Andreas Christiansen, Franck Kessié, Raphinha, Héctor Bellerín, Marcos Alonso, and Pablo Torre. Those additions made Barça fans dream, but the nightmare started when defenders Ronald Araújo, Christensen, Koundé, and Bellerín got injured and missed quite a few key games.
With a healthy defensive line, Xavi Hernández managed to bounce back from the huge collapse of getting kicked out of the Champions in the group stage and won the Spanish Super Cup, are in the Copa del Rey semifinals and are leading LaLiga five points ahead of Real Madrid, which could be eight if they defeat Sevilla at home on Sunday.
Bellerín may not be the only one to leave the club
Some of the summer additions that were supposed to be important in Xavi’s plans haven’t succeeded. That’s the case of La Masia product Bellerín, who joined Barça on a free transfer from Arsenal but he never got to win the coach’s faith, signing for Portuguese side Sporting CP to replace Pedro Porro.
Truth is, besides Bellerín, Raphinha is another of the players who are being questioned, as he hasn’t played at the level the club expected so far, but Xavi is still optimistic he can be a differential player.
However, there’s one player who could leave Barcelona at the end of the season if he’s not more consistent in the upcoming games, and that’s no other than Kessié.
The Ivorian midfielder hasn’t shined since he signed for the Catalan giants from AC Milan because Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong have had more minutes, while Pedri and Gavi have become key players in the starting XI.
Kessié, who hasn’t justified his signing when he has been given minutes on the pitch, could be leaving Barcelona in the summer if he doesn’t improve his level, according to transfer pundit Fabrizio Romano.
“Franck Kessié will see his future decided in the next 3/4 months. He has to show his best skills, otherwise, he could leave Barca in the summer”, he said.
Kessié will probably have more chances to prove himself, as February is going to be a busy month for Els Blaugrana. They will play one of their most important games vs. Manchester United in the Europa League round of 32 and will play the Copa del Rey semifinals against Real Madrid.