The Camp Nou surrenders to Gavi

Pablo Martín Páez Gaviria, ‘Gavi’. That is the name of the person who finally returned a smile to the Camp Nou on Saturday. In the midst of a huge Barça crisis at all levels, the emergence of the young midfielder, just 17 years old, has put everyone in agreement. It is the future of Barcelona and given the situation the club is experiencing, it is also the present. Against Elche he signed an exhibition, with goal and assistance included, and turned a hobby upside down that gave him his first great ovation as a culé footballer.

Opportunities must be seized when they arrive and that is precisely what Gavi is doing in spades. The departure of players such as Messi or Griezmann, Pedri’s injuries or Coutinho’s poor form opened a gap in the first team for players from the quarry and that is where the young player from Los Palacios (Sevilla) slipped in. He debuted on August 29 against Getafe at the hands of Ronald Koeman and since then his evolution has been meteoric until Saturday, the day of the consecration before his public.

Gavi’s match against Elche is the one expected from a leader. In the first half he was one of the brightest in a Barcelona that had all the hallmarks that Xavi wants to implement. He participated in the association game anchored in the center of the field and was one of the most active in the forward pressure that the team made throughout the entire match. His way of competing, not giving a single ball for lost, has dazzled a Camp Nou that understands that it is also the time to go down to the mud to get out of a very delicate situation.

All that Gavi adorned him against Elche with two crack actions that unbalanced the game in favor of Barça. The second goal of the match was signed by him after eluding Omar Mascarell with a back heel, dribbling with a feint to Enzo Roco and outwitting Edgar Badía with a cross shot. A beautifully made goal that turned Camp Nou upside down and kicked off the first “Gavi, Gavi, Gavi!” of the fans culé. There the thing did not stop. When the game got complicated with the two goals of the people from Elche he again asked for the ball and from his boots came the assistance to Nico behind a wall with Ousmane Dembélé. At just 17 years old, he had pulled his team out of a new debacle before the Christmas break.

Faced with such an exhibition, Xavi, sparing in individual praise, had no choice but to surrender to the irruption of his young talent. «The game he plays is spectacular. Because of his ambition and personality. Having it is a show. His personality, what he generates, the goal, the assistance … It is the future of the club. I was scared at that age. It is surprising for its age. He is only 17 years old and already makes a difference. I am delighted to have you. It has no roof, “said the coach of Tarrasa when asked by Gavi.

Back with the renovation

Gavi’s performance with the first team has accelerated negotiations for the extension of his contract. He has a commitment with the Blaugrana entity until June 2023, but both parties seem predisposed to extend a bond that seems too short for such a young player. The level shown by Gavi and the clause, of ‘barely’ 50 million euros, have already aroused the interest of important European clubs, so the club chaired by Joan Laporta has rushed to get a signature that will not arrive before end 2021.

Barça’s intention in this negotiation is similar to what it has already carried out with other promising youngsters such as Pedri or Ansu Fati. The club is working to sign long-term contracts that have a very high release clause to prevent them from entering the radar of the great club moguls such as PSG, Manchester City or Manchester United.