Barcelona winger ‘welcomes’ Nico Williams ahead of transfer – “A player of the highest quality” | OneFootball

Raphinha, one of FC Barcelona’s captains, has publicly praised Nico Williams and expressed his openness to the Athletic Club winger joining the squad.

The Blaugrana are expected to sign the 22-year-old winger in the coming week by activating his €62 million release clause.

An agreement over personal terms has already been reached between the player and the club over a six-year contract until 2031.

Raphinha welcomes Nico Williams

Once Nico arrives, he will be competing with Raphinha for the starting spot on the left flank, although there is a possibility that Barcelona manager Hansi Flick fits both of them in the lineup along with Lamine Yamal.

Speaking at a promotional event in Brazil, the Barça winger emphasised the high quality of the Spain international and made it clear that internal competition is not something that worries him.

“Any player who comes to the club to contribute is welcome. I think anyone who comes with the mentality to come in, work hard and work for the good of the team is very welcome. That’s the most important thing, both for me and for the other players,” he said.

Highlighting Nico’s talents and quality as a player, Raphinha added: “It is no coincidence that he is being considered to play for us at Barcelona and that he plays for the Spanish senior national team.

“He is a player of the highest quality. He has a very high level, a lot of quality.”

Nico is expected to join Barcelona soon. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Raphinha did not comment on a possible change in position for him to accommodate Nico in the Barça lineup, saying: “The coach is the one who decides.”

On his own season

Raphinha enjoyed the best season of his career with Barcelona and played an integral role in the club’s domestic treble triumph.

“Mentally I’m very well. As I said, I’ve just come off the best season of my life. There’s no way I’m sad or discouraged about anything, not about the arrival of one player or another,” he noted.

Continuing, he added: “I would say that I am living the best moment of my life, in general terms, and I hope to continue on this path until the World Cup and after the World Cup.

“That’s been my personal goal since I started playing football: to always give my best, day after day, season after season, game after game.”

As such, Raphinha insisted that he would feel let down if his performances went down from where they have been this term.

“So I wouldn’t be the least bit satisfied if I did anything less than what I delivered this season. If I managed to perform like that it’s because I have the ability to do it,” he said.

“I’m a person who demands a lot of myself, and if I don’t deliver what I think I can deliver, she knows better than anyone: for me, it’s the end of the world.”

The winger further highlighted his dedication on and off the pitch, stating: “I insist: I’m someone who demands a lot of myself. I’m very well psychologically and physically. And in a fortnight’s time we start a new season with a lot of enthusiasm.”

Source: SPORT