Xavi: Camp is going well; everyone is working for an ideal start
· The preparation at the camp has been good; everyone is working towards an ideal start
· The competition next season will be difficult; I expect new competitiors
· Reduction in number of teams is a good thing; it will have a positive effect
· Continuation of Ferreira is good for the team; he will have an influential role next season
· Qatar has a tough World Cup qualifying group but they have a great chance of reaching Russia
· Spain has to work hard to make a new generation that will bring back the titles
· Michel is capable of replacing Del Bosque and lead the Spanish national team
· Messi is the best player in the world and I respect his decision but he is capable giving many more years to the Argentine national team
· I promise the Al-Sadd fans that we will give our all to win titles
In an exclusive interview with the official website of Al-Sadd, midfield star Xavi Hernandez expressed his happiness with the way things are progressing at the 2016/17 preseason training camp in Kaprun, Austria.
The Spanish legend said: “The preparation at the camp has been good; the place is great and the training ground is near to the hotel. The team is feeling very good here. The coaching staff are working hard to prepare the players. We have some young players who have a bright future and everyone is working hard to give their best ahead of the start of the season.”
Asked about the competition in the new season, Xavi said: “I expect the competition to be strong, especially from the teams that competed with us last season – Lekhwiya, El-Jaish, Al-Rayyan. I also think there will be competition from some other teams – Al-Gharafa, Umm Salal and also Al-Ahli, who finished sixth last season.”
Xavi also had his say on the decrease in the number of teams in the Qatar Stars League, saying: “I think it is a good decision and it will affect the competition in a positive way. This will have a good effect on the second division in the future.”
As for the continuation of Jesualdo Ferreira as manager of Al-Sadd, Xavi said: “One of the best decisions the Al-Sadd management took was to extend the contract of Jesualdo Ferreira, considering his huge experience in the past in Europe. He has made use of the existing environment and the quality of the players. And so Ferreira and the coaching staff will have a big and influential role with the team this season.”
The Qatari national team have the 2018 World Cup qualifiers ahead of them and Xavi spoke of their chances of qualifying. “The competition will be difficult as the group has strong teams; Qatar face Iran first and then South Korea at home. But Qatar also has the chances of qualifying especially as currently the national team has an excellent group of players and a good coach. They are capable of making history with his team.”
When asked about the dip in form suffered by the Spanish national team in recent years, Xavi said: “The earlier generation of the Spanish team was able to win three big tournaments in a row with a team that was one of the best. It does not mean that Spain will not produce another generation of good players. But they have to work more to produce a generation that can bring back the titles.”
Spain are now looking for a new manager to lead the national team after Vicente Del Bosque and Xavi spoke about the possibilites. “In my opinion, there are many names which are suitable for coaching the national team and among them are Lopetegui, Paco Jimenez and Michel. I think Michel is close to becoming the the one who will succeed Del Bosque.”
Xavi also talked about the retirement of Lionel Messi from international football. “We need to respect his decision; it is not easy for a player of his stature to lose four tournaments in this manner. We need to wait for sometime before we see what his final decision – whether it will be retirement or a return to the Argentine national team.”
The midfield maestro also added: “For me, Messi is still capable of giving many more years of service to Argentina. He is the best player in the world and in history. He can give much more to the national team.”
Xavi went on to conclude his talk by saying: “I promise the Al-Sadd fans that we will work as hard as we can and we will devote ourselves to winning one title at least, especially as we were not luck last season. I hope they will support us throughout next season, in all the situations.”