Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez admitted that he felt “liberated” as soon as the summer transfer market ended.

And the Spanish coach believes that this “could be a great year” for the Catalans, because the team has a great desire to win, in his statements on the eve of facing Seville in the fourth round of the Spanish League.

Xavi commented that he does not feel more pressure because of the current team of Barcelona, ​​​​explaining that he knows his place because he is “very competitive.”

Bellerin and Alonso

said, “I feel liberated, both because of the departures and the new players. We did a great effort, we are happy and satisfied with where we are because we have a team to compete for everything. Now we have to show it on the field.”

Xavi talked about the new deals, Hector Bellerin and Marcos Alonso, explaining that he was looking for “candid full-backs”.

“What we needed most was a pure, honest right-back and Bellerin as well. Marcus will help us too because he is a qualified player and has won many things, he is multi-skilled. I am happy because we needed these reinforcements.”

Regarding the registration in the League and Champions League competitions for Marcos Alonso, which must take place before midnight, the Barcelona coach said that the club is “optimistic” because it is able to achieve everything before the end of that period.

Alba and Pique

Xavi also talked about the role of two veterans of the team, Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique, who have not played the championship since the beginning of the current season.

The Spanish coach was asked if Alba had asked to leave, but he denied it and said: “I want Alba here as a captain because I am close to him. He is a captain and he will help us, whether he plays or not. I never thought he would leave.”

Xavi commented, “I have no complaints about Jordi Alba. No player would bother me,” stressing that “everyone who is in perfect condition will play because we are talking about merit and performance, not age. I talk about everyone.”

Regarding Gerard Pique and the harassment he is subjected to by some media, Xavi said he finds him “calm” and that he is training “well”, especially this week when he trained “very well”.

Silva deal

And when asked if he was upset, due to the failure to sign Bernardo Silva from Manchester City, Xavi made it clear that they did not make a team for his person but for Barcelona.

He repeated: “Everyone was waiting. Now we are in the current form, we can’t talk about whether we are missing one player or another. The market is finally over and we feel liberated.”

Xavi thanked the players who left the club for their respect and professionalism but commented on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who moved to Chelsea and said, “I am sad for Oba’s departure because he helped us a lot. As a person, he is a treasure and a wonderful player and has given us a lot. It was a chance for him and the club.”

As for facing Seville, who has scored one point so far in three matches, Xavi expects a “very difficult” match against a competitor at the level of champions.

“They have a point out of nine, but they deserved more,” Xavi said, noting that Seville’s coach Julen Lopetegui “is a reference for me. But it is the results that determine success and this is not fair.”