Quizzed by the media at this lunchtime’s press conference as to Guardiola’s future, Xavi insisted: “I can’t imagine Barca without Pep. He’s the fundamental element in this machine. I think his contract renewal is imminent, but it’s all down to him".
The Barca fans and family are clear: they want the six title winning
manager to stay and renew his contract with the club. Xavi echoed the feeling, insisting: “we
want him to stay, but that’s down to him. To him and the board. I think he’ll stay and
that he’s happy here and feels important to the club. He seems happy at work and shows the
same enthusiasm he had at the start. He’s maybe the best manager the club has ever had, and
he’s only been here for a season”.
Smart and unselfish
Xavi also claimed: “Pep is very smart and I’m sure he’ll get it
right because he’s always looking for wants best for the club and the squad. He’s not
at all selfish and if he’s taking his time then it’s for a reason that only he
knows”.
“Comfortable lead”
On the footballing front, Xavi tried to put the 5 point advantage over
Madrid into context: “it’s five points and that gives us the confidence to keep
working. It’s a comfortable lead, but we can’t relax and we’ll try and stretch
the lead over Madrid and Valencia”.
Options in midfield
With Busquets injured and Toure at the African Nations Cup, Barca need
to find a defensive partner for Xavi for the game in Valladolid, with Márquez, Chigrinskiy and
Piqué all in the frame: “Rafa’s played there and done really well during the last few
years, Dima (Chygrynskiy) is also very skilful and Gerard filled that role when he was at Zaragoza.
We’ve also got Thiago and Jonathan – there’s plenty of options”.
Images: Miguel Ruiz - FCB
To view this content you need the latest version of the Flash Player
Iniesta, “spectacular”
Xavi Hernández was full of praise for his teammates, Messi, Ibrahimovic, Valdés, Pedro, Thiago,
Jonathan... and also his midfield partner Andres Iniesta: “having Andres on the pitch is a
guarantee that the team will be much better. He’s capable of anything- a spectacular
player!”