Xavi to continue conservative Ansu Fati treatement despite Spain snub

The Barcelona No 10 is yet to make his first start under Xavi this season.

Xavi Hernandez has explained his decision to take extra precaution with Ansu Fati this season.

Despite playing only 120 minutes, Fati has managed to score twice and provide two assists. The 19-year-old was among the most notable absentees from Spain’s newest squad.

However, Xavi vows to stick to his plan to slowly re-introduce Fati to Barca’s lineup.

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“We have a plan with him with a lot of precaution, we want to make sure he’s feeling good,” the Barcelona boss told reporters on Saturday.

“We are taking things little by little. It’s perhaps my fault the way we are managing him. He’s making a difference.

“He’s a very important player for us. His intensity and rhythm, maybe he needs to increase that a little. It’s a difficult situation to handle. The way we want to play, we need players to be 100% fit, but he’s doing things well.

“Sometimes he will play, something not. For better or worse it’s my decision.

“But I’ve decided that I need to take a lot of precaution and be prudent with him. I’m not going to do things quickly. We want to be cautious. It has nothing to do with physical or mental aspects. We have a specific plan.”