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8 months ago
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Barcelona are at that stage of the season where they must begin making conscious decisions about their players on loan.
The club’s loanees have enjoyed success to varying degrees across the globe, with some like Eric Garcia and Julian Araujo impressing and improving their market value.
Others, however, like Ansu Fati, have not lived up to their hype and generate serious doubt ahead of the summer transfer window. After all, their mediocre spell does not prompt interest either from their parent or foster clubs.
Brighton manager not convinced
Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi was quizzed on whether he would like to extend the Barcelona star’s loan next season, and the Barcelona offices will not be pleased with his reply.
“I don’t know. Ansu is a great, great talent. But I don’t know. I have to see myself with Tony Bloom, sports director, and our snouts and the hiring team; then we will talk,” he said, as revealed by Mundo Deportivo.
Ansu Fati has struggled at Brighton. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)De Zerbi’s reply was filled with doubt, and unsurprisingly so for Fati has not enjoyed the kind of impact he would have liked to on the Premier League club’s season.
So far this season, Fati has scored four goals and provided one assist in over 1000 minutes on the field. Moreover, he has regularly struggled for fitness during his spell in England.
Xavi is still a fan of the player
Barcelona manager Xavi is one who maintains the utmost faith in La Masia, and it is clear that he wishes to have Fati in his squad this season.
In the end, the club opted to send him on loan for a year so as to maximise his playing time and hope that he would rediscover his best version.
At this juncture, however, it is safe to say that he has failed to hit the required benchmarks in terms of progress.
Xavi still wishes to trust the player, but Barcelona could well look to sell the youngster this summer given the rise of Lamine Yamal.
