Xavi Hernandez attacks Laporta and Hansi Flick over the departure of one of Barcelona’s most important talents last summer

Former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez expressed his astonishment at the club’s decision to sell young talent Marc Guiu to Chelsea in the summer transfer window, despite Guiu’s exceptional abilities. The 19-year-old forward moved to the London club in the summer of 2024 for a fee just under six million euros, which is considered relatively low given his immense potential.

Although Guiu’s appearances in the Premier League have been limited, he impressed in the UEFA Conference League, scoring six goals in six matches, which made him one of the standout players in the competition. This performance particularly surprised Xavi, who questioned Barcelona’s decision, stating, “How could Barcelona let him leave? This player has immense potential, and in two years, he could be one of the best strikers in Europe. He has what it takes to reach a very high level in his career.”

Xavi, familiar with the challenges young players face at Barcelona, added that the club should have kept Guiu, given his future prospects. He pointed out that Barcelona sometimes lacks a long-term vision, suggesting that keeping or loaning Guiu would have been a smarter choice to ensure his development. In his view, loaning him to another club to gain experience would have been a better option, allowing him to return as a key player for Barcelona in the future.

Xavi also lamented the potential long-term consequences of this decision, stressing that Barcelona needed a young striker like Guiu, especially with the team’s ongoing struggles in the attack. He stated, “We need players like Marc Guiu, who could make a significant impact in the future. He could have played a major role in Barcelona’s future, but unfortunately, we lost the chance to develop his talent.”

The decision to sell Guiu sparked widespread outrage among Barcelona fans, who were shocked and angered by the loss of such a talented young player. Many believe that parting with Guiu could prove to be a damaging mistake for the club in the long run.

The question now remains: Was Barcelona’s management right to sell Marc Guiu at this point, or will this decision be remembered as one of the club’s biggest mistakes in recent years?