Barcelona Put Three First-Team Players On Transfer List After Champions League Humiliation
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Barcelona are planning a major overhaul of their squad after putting three first-team players on the transfer list in the wake of their humiliating Champions League exit.
According to reports in Spain, Frenkie de Jong, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Sergino Dest are set to be axed as new head coach Xavi looks to stamp his mark on the squad.
Barcelona were dumped out of the Champions League on Wednesday night after a 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.
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It was the first time in 17 years that the Catalan giants have failed to make it to the knockout stages of the competition.
Barcelona have also struggled domestically this season and are now seventh in La Liga – 16 points behind leaders Real Madrid.
Spanish journalist Gerard Romero claims Xavi has lost patience with his squad and is ready to sell De Jong, Ter Stegen and Dest.
Ter Stegen, in particular, has faced criticism for his performances this season after making a number of high-profile errors in goal, while De Jong has failed to live up to his £65m price-tag since joining from Ajax in 2019.
Dest, meanwhile, is said to be unhappy at the Nou Camp and is seeking a move to Bayern Munich.
Speaking after the midweek defeat, Xavi made not attempt to hide his disappointment and spoke about creating a “new era” at Barcelona.
“Bayern dominated us,” he said.
“We always want to dominate but it was the opposite here. We must demand more. We're Barca.
“This must be a point of inflection to change the dynamic and many more things.
“This is the Champions League, but this is also our reality. It's the situation we're in.
“I'm angry. This is the reality and it p***** me off. We have to tackle it face on. There's nothing else for it.
“A new era starts today. We start from zero. Our objective is the Champions League, not the Europa League, but that is our reality now and we have to try and win it.”
𝐗𝐀𝐕𝐈 pic.twitter.com/tIxyDRZXZr
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 9, 2021
Xavi says he is aware of the size of the task in front of him as he looks to restore Barcelona to their former level.
"I've seen how tough the reality is," he added.
"I hoped we would compete better. Bayern are better. That's the reality. But we're going to work hard and give our all so that this doesn't happen again. It's a feeling of helplessness.
"We have to start to get Barca back where they belong, which is not in the Europa League. This is also a hammer blow for me as a coach.
“We will work hard to bring Barca back, but we have to change a lot, of course."
Featured Image Credit: PA Images
Topics: Barcelona, Xavi, Frenkie De Jong, Marc Andre Ter Stegen, Transfers, Football, Champions League, La Liga
