Xavi Addresses Frenkie De Jong’s Future: ‘He’s Not an Exception

Barcelona’s coach, Xavi, has weighed in on the speculations surrounding Frenkie de Jong’s potential departure from the club. Amidst rumors of interest from powerful clubs like PSG and Tottenham, Xavi, involved in planning for the next season alongside Deco, shared his thoughts on the Dutch midfielder’s future.

“Frenkie is a crucial player and feels comfortable at the club; I don’t think it’s the right time to discuss exits. We, internally, haven’t discussed it. Our focus is on Celta, the Champions League… we’re not thinking about next season,” asserted Xavi.

Regarding De Jong’s performance this season, Xavi acknowledged both highs and lows, attributing inconsistency to team issues: “Not only Frenkie, he has had good and not-so-good games, like the team. It’s a summary of the season; we’ve lacked consistency, and he’s not an exception.”

In the midst of February, with two competitions ahead, Xavi’s remarks leaned more towards the transfer market than on-field matters, a common occurrence that didn’t surprise the coach: “It’s normal; it happens every year. Last year, when the transfer window closed, there were rumors about Ansu being for sale. We can’t control it. We are united, training well, and focused on finishing the season strong. The message is unity and doing well.”

Xavi also addressed the recent buzz around Kylian Mbappé’s potential move to Real Madrid: “Mbappé to Madrid? I don’t have much to say. It’s only official that he’s leaving PSG. Our situation is different—finishing the season well, focusing on Celta and the Champions League. I can’t provide an answer,” concluded Xavi, acknowledging the club’s economic reality and requesting no further questions about the French star.