Xavi Continues to Show Faith in 21-Year-Old Barcelona Winger

In the world of football, players must constantly prove their worth and offer something unique to remain relevant in top European clubs. FC Barcelona is no exception, and one player who has caught the eye of Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez is the 21-year-old Moroccan winger, Ez Abde. With the departure of Ousmane Dembele, Xavi is on the lookout for a player who can replicate Dembele's impact, and he believes Abde has the potential to fill that void. Despite reports of a potential move away from the club, Xavi remains committed to Abde's development and has shown unwavering faith in the young winger.

Xavi Hernandez, Head Coach of FC Barcelona. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Xavi's Faith in Abde:

According to Spanish outlet Diario AS, Xavi Hernandez is determined to block any offers for Abde and has made him an integral part of the Barcelona squad. In fact, Abde has been the first substitute in every official game, playing a total of 67 minutes out of 180 minutes, which accounts for nearly 40% of the total playing time. This level of trust exceeds that given to other players in the same position, such as Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres. Xavi's plans for Abde within the team remain clear, and signs within the locker room suggest positive feelings regarding his continuity at the club.

Abde Ezzalzouli #16 . (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)

Rumors and Potential Departure:

Despite Xavi's faith in Abde, rumors surrounding the winger's future have resurfaced. It is reported that Abde has an agreement in place with Barcelona's La Liga rivals, Real Betis. While Betis's financial situation initially made a move unlikely, Abde's interest in signing for them has kept the possibility alive. Additionally, Bayer Leverkusen and Crystal Palace have also shown interest in the young winger. Barcelona, on the other hand, is in need of player sales to complete their own transfer operations, but they are reluctant to sell Abde due to his potential and resemblance to Dembele's profile.

Xavi's Determination and Fair Play Situation:

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez and the coaching staff are keen on retaining Abde, as they believe he closely resembles the profile of Ousmane Dembele in the current squad. Xavi is willing to offer Abde regular playing time to demonstrate his value to the team. However, Barcelona may be forced into a sale due to Fair Play regulations. In such a case, they would seek offers of at least €30 million for Abde, making a move to Real Betis unlikely. The situation remains open as Abde's agent is currently in talks with Barcelona.

Ez Abde, the 21-year-old Barcelona winger, has caught the attention of coach Xavi Hernandez with his potential and resemblance to Ousmane Dembele's profile. Despite rumors of a potential move away from the club, Xavi has shown unwavering faith in Abde, making him an integral part of the Barcelona squad. While interest from Real Betis, Bayer Leverkusen, and Crystal Palace persists, Barcelona is reluctant to sell Abde due to his value and resemblance to Dembele. The future of Abde remains uncertain, but Xavi's determination to retain him and offer regular playing time showcases the coach's belief in the young winger's abilities.