4 Players Xavi wanted Barcelona to release this summer

• Reports have emerged revealing a list of four players Xavi wanted Barcelona to release this coming summer transfer window
• Unfortunately to him, Xavi was sacked last week after making comments about the club’s financial status which didn’t sit well with president Joan Laporta
• Joao Felix and his teammate at Portugal Joao Cancelo are among players the manager wanted axed

Reports have emerged revealing a list of four players Xavi wanted Barcelona to release this coming summer transfer window. Xavi is no longer in charge of Barcelona and officially left after Sunday’s clash against Sevilla, which the Catalans won 2-1.

The former Barca player turned manager joined the club two and a half years ago and led them to La Liga triumph. However, he expressed his desire to step down from the managerial position at the start of this year after a poor run which caused uproar among a good number of Barcelona faithfuls. He would later change his mind after players showed confidence in him.

Unfortunately to him, Xavi was sacked last week after making comments about the club’s financial status which did not sit well with Joan Laporta. The Spaniard has been replaced by former Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick, who was officially confirmed today, May 29.

Xavi Hernandez. Photo/ FC Barcelona.

As Flick takes over from where his predecessor left, there has been a trending story of players Xavi wanted Barcelona to release. According to Football Espana, Xavi considered them extravagances of president Laporta and wasn’t going to include them in his plan for next season. Without further ado, let’s list them down.

Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski has been a key player for Barcelona since his arrival from Bayern Munich. However, Xavi didn’t want him for different reasons.

To start with, Xavi stated that he wanted a striker reliable when it comes to pressing. He wasn’t seeing the energy and intensity he needed in Lewandowski. Also, the Spanish manager wanted an attacker who does not only wait to be fed with the ball but also creates chances and connects with the team.

Finally, Xavi found the Poland international to be too serious and not showing empathy young players need to continue with their development. Well, Barca parting ways with Lewandowski in the summer was something that Laporta didn’t want to happen and that’s one of the reasons the club axed Xavi.

Robert Lewandowski. Photo/ TNT Sports.

On the other hand, Lewandowski didn’t appreciate Xavi’s training regime and was unhappy with the way the manager subbed him off several times towards the end of the season. Nevertheless, he was willing to continue playing for the Spanish giants, as per ESPN. The Pole has scored 59 goals in 95 games since his arrival.

Joao Felix And Joao Cancelo

Joao Felix and his teammate at Portugal national team Joao Cancelo joined Barca in the last minutes of last summer’s transfer window. The two arrived on loan with both of them not being wanted by their parents clubs.

Even though the two have been among the key players in Barcelona’s squad, Xavi was happy to have them not extend their stay at Camp Nou past the 2023/24 season. In fact, Barca Universal reports that the manager didn’t like Felix in the first place, and that the 24-year-old signed with Barca because of the influence of Laporta and Jorge Mendes.

Felix performed well but lacked consistency. On the other hand, Cancelo started the season well but lost his momentum in the second half of the campaign, which could have been one of the reasons Xavi wanted him to also go this summer.

Vitor Roque

Vitor Roque. Photo/ Barca Blaugranes.

Well, it might come as s surprise that Vitor Roque is one of the players Xavi wanted Barcelona to release this summer considering the youngster joined the club barely six months ago. His signing was announced last summer but he started playing with his new teammates in January.

Xavi had earlier stated that he wanted Roque to continue his development in his home country Brazil and then join Barca this summer. But after his arrival, he was willing to have him axed even after the player’s agent clearly stated that if he leaves then it’s on a permanent deal and not on loan.