Barcelona president talks Xavi, Lewandowski, Raphinha, Kounde, January window, season objectives

With the mid-season break upon us, Joan Laporta spoke to Diario SPORT, offering his thoughts on Barcelona’s season so far, along with the fate of Xavi Hernandez after the club’s early elimination from the UEFA Champions League.

Laporta also confirmed that Barcelona’s first priority is to win La Liga, especially after an impressive start to the domestic campaign.

“I value this first phase of the season positively. An increasingly competitive team has been improved, although it is still under construction. But it has already begun to generate great expectations. This year’s priority is La Liga,” Laporta said.

“We always go out with top goals and we would have liked to continue in the Champions League, but circumstances have made it impossible for us. It has been a hard blow. 

“But I insist, the objective is the League and we hope that we continue on the right path. We can fight and have the chance to win the title,” he added.

Laporta believes Barcelona’s position as league leaders heading into the break could be good for the confidence of the team, but the club is remaining alert and are prepared to encounter any shortcomings.

“The club is permanently active, it is very dynamic, and being multi-sport there is always competition and you have to always be alert. But it is true that this Christmas we will be able to celebrate it as leaders of the League and that is very important for everyone’s peace of mind, for the team to gain confidence,” he said.

Laporta went on to respond to queries about Xavi’s fate, confirming that there have been no doubts about the club legend at any moment of the season, stating:

“At any moment we have not doubted. We have all the trust placed in Xavi as a coach. And I can assure you that we are very proud of the coach that we have. 

“He is a coach who knows the club very well, who knows the moment in which he has arrived. In addition, he knows how to share with the different members of the club everything that can be improved.”

It appears the Barça president has kept faith with the Spaniard so far. He is also happy with the way the new signings have performed, though he did point out players who have not lived up to the expectations as well.

“All the signings are meeting expectations. And with a lot of room for improvement. There are footballers who, due to different circumstances, we have not been able to see at their best, such as Christensen, Kessie or Bellerín.

“But we have full confidence in them. Raphinha is a great addition, who gives us strength on the flanks, together with Dembélé, whom we have renewed.”

The Barcelona president went on to praise Robert Lewandowski for his excellent start to the season, adding, “The incorporation of Lewandowski has been fundamental for this team to have the packaging of a champion team and that can achieve many successes.”

“Lewandowski has the gift of scoring and the ability to always be aware of his teammates, to give good advice. He is a serious, responsible man, who gives us a very good image,” he said.

Laporta continued by praising another signing in Jules Kounde, while offering his thoughts on few others, including Marcos Alonso and Pablo Torre.

“Koundé has been a great success. From the first moment, he has earned the trust of all Barcelona fans for the security he gives. He is a very consistent centre-back.

“Marcos Alonso, whom we signed as a full-back, has had to play in central defence and is doing excellently. Pablo Torre is a very young player but one that Xavi is following closely and is giving him minutes. They have all adapted very well to the Barça system.”

Finally, Laporta offered insights into Barcelona’s plans in the upcoming winter transfer window, hinting at potential activity.

“In the summer we made a plan and practically all the objectives that we had set for ourselves were achieved. We have a more competitive team than last season. We are constantly thinking about how to improve it. Injuries have not allowed us to see the potential that this team has with the signings,” he said.

Laporta believes the FFP regulations could make it difficult for Barcelona to sign new players in January, but the club will try their best to negotiate with the authorities.

“To sign in winter we would have to incorporate players who would improve what we have and it is not easy, especially considering that we continue to have fair play problems due to the elimination from the Champions League, which has reduced our budgeted income.

“La Liga have already warned us that we will have less capacity to sign. We will try to reverse it by negotiating with La Liga to reconsider its interpretation and achieving new income with victories in the Europa League or the Spanish Super Cup. Even with some friendly matches during the World Cup.”