Gavi talks Flick, Xabi Alonso, Ter Stegen, Lamine – “Marc is a club legend” | OneFootball

After struggling with an injury for most of last season, Gavi is finally back and is hungry to make an impact for Barcelona heading into the new campaign.

In a recent interview with RAC 1 (h/t Mundo Deportivo), the tenacious midfielder talked about his various topics going into the new season, including the competition in midfield, Lamine Yamal and even Real Madrid’s new coach, Xabi Alonso.

Gavi on the season ahead, Hansi Flick and Xabi Alonso

Talking about next season and whether or not he will make a big breakthrough, Gavi admits he’s no longer the fresh-faced breakout talent.

However, he’s not in a hurry to label this “his season.” He prefers to keep things simple.

“Well, in the end, what I hope is to give my all for the team. For the coach to see that I’m giving what he wants. I don’t want to put that pressure on myself of ‘it has to be my season.’

“When it’s my season, it will be. I want the coach to trust me like he’s doing. If someone else plays, in the end, the coach decides; I can’t do anything about that. What I want is to give my best in every game, and he’ll decide,” he said.

Gavi had warm words for Hansi Flick. The midfielder spoke highly of the German coach’s support and faith in him, despite being out injured for much of last season.

“The truth is that I’ve had a very good relationship with the manager since he came here. I think he loves me a lot and has always supported me.

“And that ultimately has nothing to do with it, because there will be people who say, ‘He’s just coming off the bench a lot of games.’ But that has nothing to do with it,” he said.

Talking about the growing competition in the middle of the park, Gavi admitted that earning a spot in the starting XI will be tough. But he is ready to compete.

“For example, Frenkie or Pedri are very good in that position, and they’re the best in the world. And that’s the way it is. And it’s very difficult to win that position.

“But I’m sure that with the mentality I have, I can compete with any player. The manager has always believed in me, and I’m very happy with him. I hope he stays here for many more years,” he said.

Asked about rivals Real Madrid and their appointment of Xabi Alonso, Gavi refused to talk about Los Blancos and wanted to focus on Barcelona instead.

“He’s a great coach. He’s proven that at Bayer Leverkusen. They have a very good team; they’ve signed good people. But we have to focus on ourselves.

Gavi has heaped praise on Xabi Alonso. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

“We have a great team, and we have to focus on ourselves, game by game, and we’ll see. I don’t want to focus on them; we focus on our own and win the games we have to,” he answered.

Gavi on Lamine Yamal, ter Stegen and his favourite position

There was no doubt in Gavi’s voice when talking about Lamine Yamal. The young winger made history last season with his performances and maturity beyond his years. For Gavi, it’s about protecting and supporting him – both on and off the pitch.

“Everyone knows Lamine is a world-class player. The season he had was unique for his age. I hope he continues like this, with the mentality he has, because he’s very good and he has to continue like this so we can win as many titles as possible,” he said.

“We just try to enjoy ourselves in our own way. If someone gets offended or something, it’s not our fault. Everyone will think what they want. But I know what Lamine is like: he’s an incredible person, with a very good heart,” he added.

Gavi even admitted that there will be people who will hate Yamal for his early success.

“There will be people who will hate him or be jealous, for sure. But the important thing is that he’s a very good guy, and that’s what I’ll always stick with,” he pointed out.

Gavi also shared his pride at wearing the captain’s armband during the preseason and reiterated how much the honour means to him.

“The truth is that I feel very proud to be able to wear the armband. It’s always a dream of mine, always to wear it, and it’s something that motivates me even more and maybe gives that extra boost even more when I wear it,” he said.

“In the end, there are captains, and you have to respect the hierarchy. But obviously it’s a dream for me to wear the Barça armband. It’s a dream. I think every Barça player thinks about it, and the truth is that I would love to wear it,” he added.

Interestingly, Gavi also talked about Marc-Andre ter Stegen, whose relationship with Barcelona has hit rock bottom.

Gavi, though, acknowledged ter Stegen’s position as captain and refused to speak ill of the German international.

“Marc is the first captain of the team, and in the end, the players also vote. So whatever the team decides, it will be so.

“Marc is a club legend and we have to respect him for who he is, and that’s the way he is. In the end, when he returns from injury, we’ll see and the manager will decide,” he said.

This comes in the midst of recent reports which suggest Gavi has emerged as a fan-favourite to become the new Barcelona captain, should ter Stegen get removed from captaincy.

On the pitch, Gavi believes his best version comes out when he plays deeper in midfield.

“The truth is that I love either position in this setup. I do feel more comfortable at 6 or 8 than at 10. Playing at the base is where I feel most comfortable in this scheme.”

Gavi could be Barcelona’s new captain. (Photo credit: FC Barcelona Official Website)

And when it comes to competing for places, he sees Barça’s deep midfield options as a strength – not a threat.

“I think one of the keys to last season was the squad we had. I didn’t start every game, but I started in the Super Cup, extra time was very important in the Copa del Rey, and I was also important in La Liga.

“I wasn’t an undisputed starter, and that’s ultimately important throughout the season, because there are a lot of games. If we have quality players in midfield, even if there are a lot of us, it always helps,” he added.

Finally, Gavi addressed the pain of last season’s Champions League exit. He admitted the heartbreak still lingers, but Gavi is trying to look ahead rather than dwell.

“I don’t want to go into that either because it’s in the past. But it hurt a lot because we were already in the final, with minutes left. And it hurts because you see yourself there in the final now.

“But it’s in the past, and I’m sure we’ll get where we want to go if we keep the same mentality we had in the last Champions League,” he concluded.