2022-07-29
Xavi Hernandez gave his last press conference for the United States before facing this Saturday against New York RB and return to Spain to dispute the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 7 against Pumas.
Barcelona negotiates its seventh signing for 80 million euros
The technician of Barcelona spoke about the latest addition to the club, Jules Koundethe possible return of Messi next year and was asked by the Honduran fans who have been present during the friendlies on North American soil. The Catalan thanked the support of the catrachos.
The preseason
”We don’t do exhibition games. For us there are no friendlies, there are opportunities. Here every minute is an exam. They are risking their prestige, playing. There is a lot of competition and that is very good.”
Scales of the gira
“Everything we work on in training, that can be seen on the field. I think it’s been a very positive tour. All have participated at a very good level. I am liking what I am seeing in the field. It’s early and there’s the whole season left”.
Koundé
“Happy with your arrival. It will give us a lot of outlet, strength. He can play on the side, like Araujo. That means competition. It means a lot to us. Competition and performance. Whoever is better will play.”
Pique
“He is in the same position as everyone. They all start from scratch. He will play the one that gives the most performance. The more solutions you have, the better.”
Lewandowski
“He is making a difference even though he hasn’t scored a goal. He has chances because he is always well placed. He is top”.
Departures
“These are market situations. Solutions must be found. They have time until August 31. It is the luck or misfortune that we have”.
Youth
“We have very good young players who can mark the future of this club. I see that everyone analyzes us well”.
Sign youngsters instead of veterans
“Whether we signed or not, the pressure would have been enormous. I am happy that many of the requests that we discussed with Mateu, Jordi and the president have been accepted. The pressure is maximum, but I am not afraid. The main goal this year is to win titles and I don’t hide it. I think Lewandowski is a great signing. I don’t have any kind of problem with pressure.”
Priority on the side?
“We want to strengthen ourselves more. The more, the better.”
Unrest in Europe by the signings
“From the inside, we don’t have this feeling. We are signing with the feeling that we are doing things well. How do they do that? Trying to square it all. But without skipping any rules, far from it.
locker room management
“It is handled naturally. Being honest. Soccer has changed. A change is not to point to anyone. We have to try to manage the minutes naturally”.
The return of Messi to Barcelona
“I already said at the time. It is a utopia to focus on Leo. I wish Messi’s stage hadn’t ended. I think he deserves a second chance, one last chance, but that’s next year. He has a contract. I would like to. Yes”.
Support of the Honduran fans on the tour
“Many thanks to the Hondurans, thanks for the support, for being such a culés. The signings are also surprised, Barça is very big, the greatness of Barcelona is shown when we come here (United States). If one day we go to Honduras, I think people are amazed by the players, this is spectacular, so thank you very much to Honduras”.