While Xavi is contemplating a game plan for today’s game against Almeria, knowing that another bad result could put additional pressure on him, his boss, Joan Laporta is busy planning other things. Among them Xavi’s successor. La Liga champions are nine points behind league leaders and Spain’s sensation Girona, seven points behind Real Madrid and behind Atletico Madrid on goal difference. Atletico were the last team they won against, on December 3rd, after which they were humiliated by Girona at home (4-2), defeated by Antwerp (3-2) and drew with Valencia (1-1). Another draw, accompanied by Real’s win, will undoubtedly put an almost unattainable advantage for the Madrid club and that won’t sit well with Xavi. ✅ El AGENTE de LEWANDOWSKI lo confirma: SE QUEDA. 📹 IMAGEN @elchiringuitotv de Pini Zahavi tras reunirse con Laporta. pic.twitter.com/keQX9A5tl6— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) December 20, 2023 And that is why Laporta needs to come up with the reserve option in case the results are really bad. But according to information from COPE radio journalist Helena Condis, Rafael Marquez would be the priority option to succeed Xavi, in case of a need. He is currently Barcelona B coach and he was a player for seven years (2003-2010) alongside Xavi, played 163 games and won four La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues, among other trophies. His B team is currently in the third division, with a strong chance to be promoted to the second tier of Spanish football and he is respected in the locker room. Barca getting rid of another Brazilian flopThe other thing Laporta needs to take care of is Robert Lewandowski. Or Joshua Kimmich? Barca’s president was seen in a restaurant with Lewa’s agent Pini Zahavi. Nobody knows what they were talking about, but the press was alarmed about their meeting, and when they came out of the restaurant, reporters were there to ask if Lewandowski may be leaving the club. “Of course he’s staying” said Zahavi with a smile before entering his car. Mundo Deportivo writes that despite the potential lucrative offer from a Saudi club, the Catalans will not sell him in January, and the player wants to stay. But, things could change in June, especially if the new signing Vitor Roque, proves to be a hit. Laporta would than think twice if a good offer came from Saudi Arabia. But what were they talking about then? There is a certain unsettled player from Bayern Munich called Joshua Kimmich, about whom Barcelona is very interested. His contract runs out in 2025 and his agent is Pini Zahavi. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7753578##
