Xavi Hernandez has always been a coach who looks to the future with a logical perspective, making decisions based on the team’s long-term needs.
Last season, the coach was clear in his assessment of the situation regarding the team’s striker, Robert Lewandowski, indicating that if he remained in charge, the club should seriously consider parting ways with the Polish star.
Although Lewandowski possesses great technical skills, Xavi believed that the player could no longer adapt to Barcelona’s style of play, especially in terms of the high pressing that is one of the core elements of his philosophy.
However, with the arrival of coach Hansi Flick on the Barcelona bench, things changed. Lewandowski started the new season in excellent form, scoring crucial goals and showing that he still has much to offer at Camp Nou.
That said, the situation began to change over the past month, as Lewandowski’s performances declined significantly. It became clear that the striker was struggling to maintain the physical and technical level required by Flick’s system.
In recent matches, Lewandowski has missed several easy chances and has shown notable difficulties in leading Barcelona’s attack. This drop in form has caused great concern within the technical staff, as well as with the club’s management, especially president Joan Laporta.
Initially, Laporta chose to keep Lewandowski as the starting striker, but now he seems to be rethinking that decision. According to sources close to the club, Laporta has started reviewing Xavi Hernandez’s analyses, which had previously emphasized the need to rejuvenate the attacking line and look for a forward who is flexible and able to adapt to Barcelona’s modern style of play.
With Lewandowski now 36 years old, his physical limitations have become increasingly evident, which has impacted his collective performances. The player’s lack of physical freshness and his inability to maintain intensity in critical moments have heavily affected the team’s results in both La Liga and the Champions League, putting Barcelona in a difficult position both domestically and internationally.
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s sporting management, headed by Deco, has begun working on finding suitable alternatives in the upcoming transfer market. Names such as Erling Haaland and Viktor Gyökeres have been discussed as potential future attacking options. However, the completion of these deals will depend largely on the club’s financial capabilities, which are currently facing significant challenges.
In the end, it seems that time has proven Xavi Hernandez’s assessment correct. The situation now requires Barcelona to make decisive decisions to secure the team’s future and compete at the highest level. While Xavi had previously warned of the challenges that Lewandowski may face in his preferred style of play, Barcelona’s future remains tied to the club’s ability to act wisely in the transfer market to ensure continued competitiveness.