A Revamped Attack: Barça’s Forward Lineup Under Xavi Hernandez

With the march of Ansu Fati y Abde Ezzalzouli a month after he did it Ousmane Dembéléthere is no longer any striker left of all those who were in the squad when Xavi Hernandez He took charge of the FC Barcelona bench in November 2021, replacing Ronald Koeman after two weeks of Sergi Barjuan as interim. The reconstruction of the squad has been a constant but it is on the offensive front where the most changes have occurred. From a very extensive roster but without much quality globally speaking with Dembele, Yusuf Demir, Memphis Depay, Martin Braithwaite, Luke de Jong, Ansu Fati and Sergio Aguero (already on the sidelines undergoing coronary tests that led to his withdrawal weeks later), Philippe Coutinho plus the reinforcements of the subsidiary Go away, Elias Akhomach y Ferran Jutlà Xavi now has Lamine Yamalonly 16 years old, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski y Joao Felix.

Evolution of Barça’s forwards in the ‘Xavi era’

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The Portuguese, on loan from Atlético de Madrid on the closing day of the recent summer transfer window, was the last to arrive as the range of options had to be expanded due to the desire to Ansu y Go away of leaving the club in search of minutes.

When Xavi was able to intervene in the first open market blind in January 2022, they landed Ferran Torres for 55 million plus 10 variables from Manchester City, as well as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at zero cost by separating from Arsenal and the ex-Azulgrana Adama Traore, loaned by Wolverhampton Wanderers. That winter the Austrian already left Yusuf Demir to Rapid Vienna (Barça had to pay 10 ‘kilos’ if they reached 10 games) and Philippe Coutinho to Aston Villa with a purchase option that ended in a sale for 20 million in May 2022.

Adama did not continue at the end of the course and the end of the loan, like that of Sevilla for Luuk de Jongwhile the demands to free up the salary mass and be able to incorporate two full-backs as Hector Bellerin y Marcos Alonso They were forced to dispense with ‘dawn‘, signed by Chelsea for 12 million at the beginning of September. A very profitable business eight months after his arrival, already with Raphinha y Lewandowski On campus. Martin Braithwaite He also left for Espanyol after terminating his contract, while Memphis Depay He postponed his departure for a few months until January 2023, when Atlético paid three ‘kilos’ and one in bonus with less than half a year left until his contract expires. They remained Dembele’s, Ansu, Ferran, Raphinha y Lewandowski to tie up LaLiga. Now only the last three continue with Ferran at the front in time on the team and have been joined Lamine Yamal y Joao Felix.

An attack for 158+22 million

In Xavi Hernández’s 22 months as Barça coach, the club has only paid for one transfer Ferran Torres (55+10 al Manchester City) , Raphinha (58+7 al Leeds United) y Robert Lewandowski (45+5 to Bayern) raising the total figure to 158 million plus 22 variables. Aubameyang He arrived separated from Arsenal and Adama y Joao Felix after being loaned by Wolverhampton and Atlético. Lamine Yamal, breaking records already at 16 years old, is from the house. As for departures, so far it has reached 85.9 million plus one in bonus. Aston Villa paid 20 for CoutinhoClub Brujas paid five Ferran JutlàAtlético paid 3+1 for MemphisPSG took over Dembele’s by 50.4 and Betis with Go away for 7.5 although for 50% of their rights. Of course, for Ousmaneal Barça He only had 35.4 left as he went 15 to the French winger’s pocket.

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2023-09-11 06:57:52
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