Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed who the two most clinical players in training are, as pre-season preparations get underway.
The La Liga champions have a lot of business to do in the transfer market this summer, as they need to raise funds through sales, but it seems that young sensation Ansu Fati will not be one of those departing.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Laporta revealed that Xavi has big plans for the 20-year-old, and also revealed that according to the manager, Fati and veteran striker Robert Lewandowksi score more than anyone else in training.
“He wants to succeed at Barça. He has a gift, which is a scorer. Xavi told me that in training the ones who score the most goals are Lewandowski and Ansu,” he stated.
“He comes off an injury, he had a relapse. What De la Fuente said is true and he reconfirmed to me in the Federation Assembly, that he is like never before and like a bull.
“Ansu wants to succeed at Barça, Xavi is determined to give him opportunities. There are players ahead but we must make rotation the norm and not rotate out of necessity as has happened this season. It is one of the pending subjects: make a rotation to avoid more injuries. We have Raphinha, Dembélé, Ansu, Lewandowski, Abde and Ferran. It’s very nice.”
Should Fati be given more chances?
The attacker struggled for game time and form last season following his return from a long-term injury, but still managed to score 10 goals in all competitions.
He finds himself behind Raphinha, Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembele in the pecking order, but if Xavi rotates his attacking options more, Fati could be the first backup pick.
There will be extra pressure to succeed in the Champions League this season after consecutive group-stage exits, and Xavi may choose to use Fati more as the fixtures pile up.
The Spain international was once regarded as La Masia’s biggest talent when he broke into the first-team, and if he returns to his best form, he can develop into a deadly goalscorer for the Blaugrana.