Barcelona’s sporting director Deco believes that Ansu Fati made a wise decision in choosing Brighton & Hove Albion as his destination for a loan spell this season – while the Seagulls’ head coach Roberto De Zerbi wants the 21-year-old starlet to work harder to adapt to demands of English football.Fati, once seen as Lionel Messi’s natural successor at Barca, joined Brighton on a dramatic deadline-day move after finding himself lower in the pecking order at Camp Nou. Despite starting only one Premier League game for Brighton this season, Fati has managed to score twice in defeats against Aston Villa and Manchester City. His standout performances have come in the Europa League, where he has started all four of Brighton’s group-stage matches and scored in both home and away wins over Ajax.##NAJAVA_MECA_7918294##Deco, who played 161 games for Barcelona before becoming the club’s sporting director last August, spoke at a press conference about the club’s plans for next season, including loan players like Joao Cancelo from Manchester City and Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid. When asked about Fati’s future at the club, Deco emphasized that the door is not closed for the young forward, and his return to Barcelona would depend on his performance while on loan at Brighton.”Of course, Ansu Fati can return here. He’s on loan at Brighton. He’s young, he’s happy now. I think Brighton was a good choice to play regular football. We’re following his progress. It’s up to his performances. But Ansu could return to Barca, for sure.”Meanwhile, Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi expressed his satisfaction with Ansu’s displays in Europe and the FA Cup, but also highlighted the demanding nature of the Premier League.”I think he can push more in the Premier League, he can be stronger, he can play better, he can believe more in his abilities. He’s a sensitive guy, a good guy.”🗣️ – Roberto De Zerbi (Brighton coach) on Ansu Fati: “I think he can push more, he can be stronger, he can play better, he needs to believe in his ability. He’s a sensitive guy, a good guy. Part of my work is to help players, to believe more in themselves.” pic.twitter.com/ah0r4xCZd7— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) March 2, 2024 The Italian coach emphasized the importance of helping players like Fati to believe more in themselves and to showcase all their qualities consistently. De Zerbi sees it as a challenge to encourage players to demonstrate their full potential, especially when they possess significant talent like Fati. The coach stressed the importance of developing habits of consistent effort and intensity, particularly in the demanding environment of English football.”One part of my work is to help this type of player to believe more in themselves. Showing all his qualities is a challenge because pushing your players to show their qualities, not one or some qualities, is a big challenge. A big challenge is when you have a big talent, and Ansu is a big talent. Habits – to push every day on the pitch and not to push 80% or the day before the game 20%. When you play, especially in England, you have to push every day, every training. Otherwise, you can’t play.”ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUESaturday 18.00: (5.90) Nott.Forest (4.20) Liverpool (1.55)18.00: (1.95) Newcastle (3.50) Wolverhampton (3.90)18.00: (1.47) Tottenham (4.40) Crystal Palace (6.75)18.00: (2.70) Fulham (3.35) Brighton (2.80)18.00: (2.15) Everton (3.50) West Ham (3.60)18.00: (3.05) Brentford (3.50) Chelsea (2.25)Sunday 16.00: (3.70) Burnley (3.50) Bournemouth (2.00)18.30: (1.32) Man.City (6.00) Man.Utd. (9.50)Monday 23.00: (16.0) Sheffield Utd (7.75) Arsenal (1.20)***odds are subject to change
