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Laporta reveals what Xavi needs to get the best out of Barcelona

Xavi Hernandez, FC Barcelona
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Barca have begun life under Xavi with two wins, two draws, and two defeats in six matches.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta admits new manager Xavi Hernandez needs a mixture of quality young and experienced players in his squad.

The 41-year-old has endured a mixed start to life in the Camp Nou dugout, with only two wins in his first six games.

A three-match winless run, meanwhile, has seen Barcelona crash out of the Champions League group stages, and slip down to eighth-place in the La Liga table.

It is clear changes are needed. Xavi has recently claimed the young players cannot handle the club’s burden alone, with several of them just teenagers still.

“We should never forget that we are in year zero after [Lionel] Messi, the farewell of the best player in the world,” said Laporta as per Mundo Deportivo.

“It’s difficult and that is why we have bet on Xavi Hernandez, who knows the environment and the style of the club. He wants to trust in the players that come through the cantera, from where he arrived to the first team at Barcelona, becoming great champions.

“As a coach, he knows the style and the philosophy of the club. It’s not easy work, because we know that football doesn’t allow you time and we accept that.

“To abbreviate, we need a mix between young players and experts, all with quality. A club like Barca knows to resist the pressure.”

Laporta made these comments on Monday in Turin while attending Pedri’s Golden Boy and Lieke Martens’ Golden Player Woman presentations.

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