An insight into the expected knock-on effect of Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández’s incoming departure on the future of youngster Ansu Fati has today been provided.
Wide-man Ansu, of course, is currently in the midst of a season-long loan spell away from Barcelona.
Amid hopes of the Spanish international rediscovering his best on the back of an injury-plagued couple of terms, the 21-year-old made the move to England, to link up with Brighton & Hove Albion.
After beginning to establish himself in Brighton’s XI, however, Ansu’s progress was suddenly halted once more late last year, upon the talented attacker being struck down by a serious calf injury.
The expectation, in turn, is that the youngster will ultimately go on to make his way back to base in Barcelona this summer.
What, though, is likely to follow?
Until recently, Ansu’s prospects in Catalunya looked bleak at best, with Blaugrana headmaster Xavi having been a leading figure behind his exit.
With Xavi now primed to bring his stint on the Barca bench to a close, however, the club’s once so highly-regarded young attacker could be afforded something of a lifeline.
As per a report from Diario Sport, the departure of his former boss could well culminate in Ansu being reintegrated into the first-team setup at Camp Nou.
A further boost would too be coming the way of the winger, in the case of Roberto De Zerbi being brought in in Xavi’s place.
Italian tactician De Zerbi is widely understood to be on Barcelona’s list of managerial targets for the summer, with the Brighton head coach having proven a decisive voice in Ansu choosing to join the Seagulls, over Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
And, since, the relationship between the pair has only blossomed further, meaning a reunion in Catalunya’s capital would be welcomed by both parties.
Conor Laird | GSFN
