Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez asks for more new signings this summer
Gundogan and Martinez have been announced but Xavi wants more new arrivals
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández analysed the signings made so far and made it clear that they need more incomings to challenge for titles next season.
"We need more reinforcements but we are doing a good job with the sports area," he said Thursday. "We are in a complicated situation and perhaps we can't bring in what we set out to do because of financial fair play, but more things are going to come. I can't name names but we are working to make the team more competitive."
Xavi pointed out that "the squad is missing some pieces. It's going to depend a lot on the market and it's going to take a long time. We have to be content with the situation, but it is clear that we are going to work on improving the team. We are going to see how far we can go and how far we can strengthen. [Director of football] Mateu Alemany is working on it.
The coach also made it clear that he would bet on the academy.
"We must look to the home-grown players," he added. "I am one of those who look down and I will continue to do so. With [left-back Alejandro] Balde you have an example. We had a different idea with him [last summer] and then he exploded during preseason and ended up being a key player. This is the way forward and in the academy, we have good things [going on] that we have to take advantage of and strengthen."
