Barcelona defender Jules Kounde defends Xavi Hernandez – 'We're not going to throw away all that work'
It has been noted on several occasions in recent weeks how positive the Barcelona team has been about Hansi Flick's management so far; and many in the media have turned it into a criticism of Xavi Hernandez's time in charge. Jules Kounde he was keen to avoid his words being used for the same purpose.
In particular, Pedri's comments that the team “didn't fall (physically) around the 70-80 minute mark” was used as a stick to beat Xavi with. The decision of the Director Sporting Deco was made a lot to put in a completely new fitness team led by Julio Tous this summer as well.
Flick: “Ansu is ready to play. I know his favorite position, but I didn't say it here, you will see tomorrow in which position he plays. When he is on the field he really likes it and scores goals in training.”
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) September 18, 2024
Speaking ahead of his Champions League debut against AS Monaco at the Stade Louis II, Kounde also spoke positively of the German's arrival.
“The team understands very well what the manager wants. There is a new dynamic, his staff is very involved and everyone does their job very well, starting with the strikers, who press very well. That gives us extra confidence and we all want it.”
Jules Kounde on Flick's mandate. pic.twitter.com/UGDcXcI5vF
— Football España (@footballespana_) September 19, 2024
However, he defended the work that Xavi he also did during his 2.5 years in office.
“I think it's a new way of working. We shouldn't throw away everything that Xavi had done. Last season we had difficult moments, but there were also times when we were physically fit. Now it's a new way of working. The manager demands that there is intensity at all times and that we are focused. We understand this very well and it is reflected very well on the field.”
It is not surprising that Xavi, who has been heavily criticized in the last six months of his spell as manager anyway, has borne the brunt of the blame for last season's failures. With Ilkay Gundogan, Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix all departing, and only Pau Victor and Dani Olmo arriving in their place, Xavi forms the most convenient lightning rod for blame fingers, although some of the criticism was undoubtedly justify
