Franck Kessie will not leave Barca in the summer
The midfielder did well in the Clasico and is becoming useful
Despite having played regularly and been a key player in his previous team, AC Milan, leading a project that ended with a Scudetto and unanimous recognition from the fans, Franck Kessie had to be patient. He has needed a lot of patience. The Ivorian saw in the first few months how he didn't quite fit into Xavi Hernandez's scheme. But he didn't give up, he kept on working and rowing towards his goal. He was convinced that sooner or later his time would come, as we published in SPORT last November.
In football, moments count. Many times players settle in or even make the leap into the team because of an injury to a teammate. Or a suspension. Other people's misfortunes lead to opportunities. And Franck knew that, probably, after the World Cup the tree would shake and he would have chances to show Xavi that, with continuity, he deserved to be more of a protagonist.
The outcome is that the midfielder has been at a high level in 2023. He offers something different to the typical profile of 'Barça DNA' that we are increasingly wondering exactly what that really is. The first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final was one more example. Kessie was one of the standout performers, the goal was his (even if the scoresheet says otherwise) and he didn't leave with a brace because Ansu and bad luck got in the way.
He has a knack for knowing when the moment is right. To time and control the tempos in a masterful way and choose when to be more punishing when it comes to arriving in the box from the second line. The fact is that FC Barcelona is clear that, as of today, the player will not leave in the summer.
Xavi considers him very useful in the project and is delighted with his growth and what he brings both on and off the pitch. His attitude is commendable and, moreover, the dressing room is delighted with him.
In fact, his game at the Bernabeu and his contribution to the goal were very much celebrated by his teammates. Obviously, the fact that the squad probably can't be reinforced due to financial fair play is key to the idea (we repeat, at the moment) of not listening to offers for him.
Of course, if a very dizzying offer were to arrive, it could change things. Because it is clear that a good 'rush' at the end of the season will increase his cache and will attract the 'flycatchers'. Tottenham and Milan already knocked on his door in January.
