FC Barcelona Coach Xavi Slams ‘Great Disappointment’ Dembele

FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has called Ousmane Dembele’s move to Paris Saint-Germain a ‘great disappointment’ ahead of his side’s La Liga opener against Getafe.

Furthermore, the manager also discussed player registrations, the arrival of Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense and the progress of Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez on the eve of the trip to Estadio Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

Asked about Dembele’s €50 million ($55 million) switch to the Parc des Princes, Xavi, who took ‘The Mosquito’ under his wing and made him into one of the best widemen in Europe, said that the 26-year-old had been a “good boy, who has helped us” since the legendary midfielder took over the reins from Ronald Koeman in 2021.

“He was important but it has been a great disappointment that he left when he had everything,” Xavi lamented.

Before the sales of Dembele and Franck Kessie, plus a €120 million ($131.5 million) cash injection brought by the resale of shares in Barca Studios, Barca had just 13 players registered for the match against Getafe.

Two of them were Dembele and Kessie, but Barca have now been able to get new signing Ilkay Gundogan over the line as well as Ronald Araujo, Sergi Roberto and Ez Abde leaving 15 men at Xavi’s disposal.

Asked when the outstanding men might be registered, Xavi said: “We are waiting. The club is working well and we will try to register as much as possible. We are optimistic and positive.”

“I think we’re going to be able to count on almost everyone,” Xavi later added.

The fresh funds mean that Barca might be able to go after the likes of Neymar and Joao Cancelo, but there has also been talk of new signing Vitor Roque possibly arriving in Catalonia now and not when the South American season finishes and the winter transfer window opens again.

Xavi poured cold water on this possibility however, confirming that Vitor Roque “will be incorporated in January”.

“It depends on the sports area and its team, but hewill be incorporated in January,” Xavi reiterated.

Lastly, regarding Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez who have been impressive in cameos against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday – when Lamal ruined the Premier
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League giants with a part in three goals in 10 minutes – and Real Madrid in Arlington, Texas – where Lopez enforced a 3-0 scoreline, Xavi said “it will depend on them” as per the youngsters forcing their way into his first team plans.

“We are very happy,” Xavi continued. “Lamine makes a difference and can help us, he is ready to help. The role [they have] is marked by them with their performance. Last year [Alejandro] Balde did it. [Ez] Abde, Ansu [Fati], they can do it.

Xavi also explained that he doesn’t think Lamal’s age has anything to do with how much he can or will feature.

“I see him as mature, he makes good decisions, he has [goalscoring ability], he is doing everything well despite the age of 16. Beyond age, it’s the maturity [he has],” Xavi concluded.