The stern chat with Gerard Pique serves as a warning to all

Gerard Pique’s chat with Barcelona also serves as a warning for the others. Although it may seem the message from the club is focused on the centre-back, everyone should take note.

The demand, commitment and professionalism that Xavi is demanding of his former team-mate shows the rest of the team what is needed too. The idea is clear, the players are on alert. If Pique is not untouchable, despite his good performances, nobody is.

Xavi does not want to be ‘married’ to anybody. He came to construct a champion team playing good football and nobody can divert him from this goal. Xavi has been tough on the players at some moments because being at Barcelona, you must aspire to excellence. That’s what he is teaching and asking of them, whatever the name. He also knows coaches are valued in the end by results and cannot allow the club to go another year without silverware.

The message from Xavi is clear to everyone, and Laporta made the same point when he criticised the team at the end of the season, saying it lacked leadership.

Barcelona will reinforce the squad where they can, but the first thing to do is work harder and better at home.