Barcelona News Transfer: Barcelona’s legendary center-back Gerard Pique has challenged president Jon Laporta to bring in the best center-back this summer.
The 35-year-old defender has suffered a disastrous season filled with on and off-the-field issues. He has been struggling with injuries due to his age. He is still recovering from his adductor injury and he is trying to be fit for the pre-season.
Weeks back, Xavi had a meeting with Pique in which he informed him that he would give him less game-time. He feels that the veteran center-back should focus on bringing his form back.
The manager has already told the Spanish defender that he is not in his plans for the upcoming season. The main factor concerning Xavi is that Pique hasn’t played at his top level for quite a few years and he has also shown unprofessional behaviours off the field.
Barcelona has already signed Christensen from Chelsea but Xavi wants to add one more center-back this summer. It has been reported that the club is exploring the possibility to sign Jules Kounde from Sevilla.
It is no secret that Kounde is also targeted by Chelsea but it may now turn into a two-horse race. All this would still affect Gerard Pique and his chances of featuring in the starting XI. He could see himself getting snubbed from next season onwards.
Barcelona News Transfer: What Did Gerard Pique Say To Barcelona President Juan Laporta?
It has been reported that Pique had a meeting with Laporta in which he gave several promises to him. He said that he would stop focusing on his companies and off-the-field antics. There was also a talk regarding his form and the center-back promised that he would re-discover his form again.
However, that was not the only thing. He also challenged Laporta that if the board decided to sign a new center-back, he would still start. Pique said: “Go ahead. Bring in the best center-back in the world. He will be a substitute. I’ll still start.”
Pique has openly challenged Laporta that no other defender can take his place in the starting XI and he will prove his words. The former Spanish defender has already started training early morning to get himself fit for the upcoming campaign.
