Xavi's dream Barcelona front three: Lewandowski, Dembele & Ansu
The coach is bring Ansu in slowly but he is a huge part of his plans
When Xavi Hernandez planned the squad for this season, he was clear which three players should occupy the attack. It's true Barcelona tried for Erling Haaland, but it was impossible. In fact, the first real option was always Robert Lewandowski. In this sense, the coach did all he could to make that signing a reality.
A big reason Ousmane Dembele stayed is also down to Xavi, who has shown great faith in the France forward. Along with Dembele and Lewandowski, Xavi had a third player in mind for his frontline: Ansu Fati. That was his opinion in preseason and it still is today. The problem is that, with the young academy graduate, he has been forced to use him sporadically due to the amount of time he has been injured in the last two years.
But the plan remains. Dembele, Lewandowski and Ansu, sooner or later, will become the regular front three for Barça. Xavi backed the signing of Raphinha as well and is satisfied with his performances, even if he's not been the player he was in preseason and at the start of the campaign. He was a welcome addition but not a priority one in his system.
Xavi, as he has expressed when asked about the situation, is convinced that Ansi will be an important player this season.
