Barcelona veteran defender wants to prove to Xavi that he is the best CB in the team

Journalist Helena Condis has confirmed that veteran defender Gerard Pique wants to continue at Barcelona and even Xavi is counting on his services for the next season, contrary to what reports have said all day.

There have been rumours suggesting that the Spaniard was told by Xavi that he will not rely on him as a starter next season and that he should leave. However, Pique seems determined to prove to the manager that he is the best defender in the team.

It’s all but evident that at 35 years of age, Pique does not really have much to offer on the pitch. Thanks to his experience, however, the defender could prove to be a massive asset even if he does not play a lot of games next season.

At the same time, Barcelona are worried about the salary he is pocketing. As reported by Diario AS, Pique is receiving a whopping €19 million net per season and the story certainly do not end there.

After having agreed to a deferral, Barcelona now owe Pique €50 million over unpaid salary. For Barcelona, while they agree he is still an important member, the amount he is receiving is not in line with his performances.

On top of that, his physical condition hasn’t been great either, but the player believes he can have a great season next term after recovering from his tendinopathy.

In any way, regardless of his experience and the things he has in the offering, his salary remains a massive burden for a team that is already fighting to lower its wage cap. 

For a moment, a hypothetical exit of Gerard Pique would open several doors for the team. For instance, they will be able to register new players like Robert Lewandowski.

At this moment though, there is no fixed roadmap of how to deal with his situation. He is one of the four captains, is loved by the fans and is an absolute Barça legend in every sense.

And so, it is fair to say that the final decision will solely depend on Pique himself. Whether to retire or continue at Barcelona, the player will have the final word. But for now, Xavi seems to have a place for him despite signing Andreas Christensen from Chelsea.