Xavi does not have enough: he dreams of Messi and is looking for a winger, a central defender, an interior player and a striker in the midst of a war economy

The fans claim Messi, and Bara aspire to fill the gap with free players like Iigo Martínez or Gndogan

• Copa del Rey Madrid upsets Barcelona (0-4)
• tension A classic from another era: Gavi against Vini, a “toxic” attitude, lighters, bottles… And as many cards as with Pep and Mou

Those who are closest to the president of Barcelona say, John Laportathat this, beyond the sleeplessness caused by the Negreira case and its consequences, he has spent weeks imagining a hug with Leo Messi. He is so committed to the matter that he does not stop thinking about the way to fit his salary when what LaLiga demands is that he reduce 200 million euros in salaries this summer. The day the team Xavi Hernandez came face to face with Real Madrid in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey conceding a 0-4 loss that refers to the darkest times, the fans clamored for the return of the 35-year-old Argentine captain. And he did it, of course, in minute 10, long before that second half arrived where the Barça project exhibited serious shortcomings that neither the sports management nor the coaching staff overlooked. As much as the League title, with a 12-point advantage over those of Ancelotti In the absence of 11 days, it is already taken for granted and the conquest of the Arabian Super Cup is claimed in the speech.

Although while Messi waits impatiently in Paris to find out if Laporta’s reconciliation songs really go beyond the promised tribute match to the patriarch Jorgethe sports management that they command Mateu Alemany y Jordi Cruyff you will have to try to pour dirt over the open holes. Because the squad, notable with all its headlines standing, is disfigured in an emergency.

Pedri y Dembl, the builder and the agitator, have been on the stretcher since February, missing the decisive part of the season. Without the canary, Bara does not have a single footballer that generates between the lines. Without the Frenchman, despite his maddening irregularity, the overflow is a chimera. To this was added in the classical past the absences of Frankie Youngwhose expansive profile has nothing to do with that of Sergi Roberto o Cassieand above all Christensenwho usually replaces Mark Alonsowith serious deficiencies as a center back and indicated in the 0-1 that opened the duel against Madrid.

The club having lost all hope that Eric Garcia He can be a guaranteed defender -the latest idea is that he can act as a midfielder so as not to lose him-, Barcelona has convinced himself of the need to hire another central defender. The main contender is Iigo Martnez, especially since the contract ends. Although there is an even more priority position, that of that right side where Araujo and a waning Kound they take turns despite not being one or the other the most appropriate for the position. The coaching staff still loves the Argentine Juan Foyth, but the club is not here to pay clauses. Neither for the Villarreal defender (54 million euros), nor for an heir to Sergio Busquetsthe prohibitive midfielder of Real Sociedad Martin Zubimendi (60 million). That is why Xavi insists so much on the renewal of Busquets, who values ​​continuing for another year.

Pedro’s weight

Nor will it be easy to find a player who can take the weight of the team’s game, something essential given Pedri’s continuous muscular problems and the lack of confidence in Paul Tower. The main option, again without transfer in between, is to Ilkay Gndogan, 32 years old and whose contract ends with Manchester City on June 30. It will also be difficult to solve attacking poverty with another striker, with Raphinha, Ferran Torres and above all, Ansu Fati, in the window. As much as Alemany and Jordi Cruyff tried to convince the latter’s father, Overcome Fatithat the club does not intend to transfer his son.

Robert LewandowskiMeanwhile, he has a contract until the summer of 2026. Laporta, who had been admiring his scoring ability for years, had no problem signing him a generous contract (some 26 million gross on average), and also lasting despite his age (next August turn 35 years old). But the Pole, although his figures are still those of a nine referential (27 goals in 35 games, for the 25 goals in 31 matches of Benzema), has not recovered the level shown before the World Cup in Qatar. Not only that, his performance in high-altitude duels (he has scored a goal in the four clásicos he has played this season against Real Madrid) continues to raise many doubts.