Xavi Must Embrace New Role.

The hearts of the Blaugrana faithful were relieved when Xavi announced that he would be staying with Barça. It has been a very difficult season for Xavi who found himself on the bench for both club and country at the bitter end of both campaigns. As Barça enter a new era, Xavi must also come to grips to his role with the club as the leader, on the pitch and on the bench.

I was very glad, and so were many others, about Xavi staying with Barça and not heading off to the Middle East or the Big Apple.  His recent press conference indicated his frustration and disappointment of how last season ended coupled with the unpleasant World Cup that ensued right afterwards. One can’t blame him for thinking about leaving the club after last season. Yet, he made the right choice by not leaving the team.

Back in December 2013, I discussed how the likes of Puyol and Xavi should see their minutes reduced in order to lengthen their careers and give more minutes for the younger players. Sadly, Puyol decided to retire at the end of last season and not subject himself to go through another season of pain and disappointment. Xavi now has to start accepting that his role with the Blaugrana will be different. He cannot play 60-70 matches a year anymore and be counted on to start in the big matches anymore. It wasn’t a surprise that he suffered a minor injury after a Barça friendly recently. In other words, he has to take it easy.

I am a still firm believer that Xavi should also start the occasional odd game. However, I think his importance can be parlayed into the role of that of a closer coming off the bench.  Xavi can still be an asset in games where Barça would require his presence to protect a lead with his calming influence and control in the final 15-20 minutes of a match. That would not interfere with Barça’s philosophy that a good defense is a good offense and having his presence on the pitch to keep things from not going out of hand would be a smart move by Luis Enrique.

Furthermore, Xavi can also influential to the players as a leader, now that Puyol and Valdés have left the club. Xavi is now the father figure for the players and a mentor to the new and young midfielders too. The big question is whether Xavi can accept that role or will he opt to exit the club the winter. One can hope that Xavi remains with the club because legends like him should retire as a Barça player and not for another team.