Barcelona legend and former coach praised Hansi Flick for the excellent work he is currently doing with the team. He noted the significant changes this season, as Barcelona has taken the top spot in La Liga after nine rounds, accumulating 24 points—three ahead of rivals Real Madrid.
In comments reported by the Catalan newspaper Sport, Xavi highlighted that the difference between his coaching and Flick’s lies in minor details. He acknowledged Flick’s achievement of winning La Liga while conceding the fewest goals during a season when the squad lacked the current level of talent.
Xavi expressed his hope that Flick can secure a major title this season, whether in La Liga or the Champions League, and emphasized his desire for the team to aim for all possible honors.
Xavi advised Hansi Flick that with injured players returning, if he wants to win titles, he should consider dropping Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo from Barcelona’s squad this season. He argued that both players could jeopardize the team’s success.
Xavi recalled Araujo’s costly mistake last year, where a naive red card against Paris Saint-Germain significantly impacted their Champions League campaign. He also highlighted Araujo’s recurring defensive errors, which could lead to losses if he starts this season.
Regarding De Jong, Xavi acknowledged his quality but asserted that he doesn’t bring anything new to the team and won’t be a decisive factor in crucial matches. He suggested that De Jong’s departure would be the best option for ensuring Barcelona’s success this season.