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Xavi confirms Barcelona youngster to stick around

By Ernesto Hernandez

Vini Jr. vies for the ball with Fermin Lopez during a pre-season friendly football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on July 29, 2023. (Photo by ARIC BECKER/AFP via Getty Images)
Vini Jr. vies for the ball with Fermin Lopez during a pre-season friendly football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on July 29, 2023. (Photo by ARIC BECKER/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Xavi Hernandez attends a training session ahead of the pre-season F=friendly match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at AT&T Stadium on July 28, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
Xavi Hernandez attends a training session ahead of the pre-season F=friendly match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at AT&T Stadium on July 28, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images) /

Fermín López certainly impressed in his second half appearance in the match between Barcelona and Real Madrid. The 20-year-old scored from long distance and provided the assist for Ferran Torres’ goal in stoppage time.

López has been impressing since before then as well, turning eyes during training sessions. His performance against Madrid was sort of a culmination of what his coaches and teammates have been seeing.

Therefore, perhaps it’s not a surprise that Lopez is not going to be loaned and will be a part of the Barcelona first team going forward.

https://twitter.com/barcacentre/status/1685432327692812288

“Fermín is a player with great talent, two feet and an ability to play the final pass. He is only 20 years old but he has plenty of character,” Xavi Hernandez said after the match.

“He’s a player I like and that final pass is something we lacked a little bit last season. He is not afraid, he wants the ball and he keeps it simple. When I see that in training then I have to give him minutes for his confidence.”

While it is only one game and in a preseason friendly, it has to give López a significant confidence boost. It could also be a sign of things to come.

Xavi remains insistent on adding reinforcements and he seems to like Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso to strengthen the midfield. The emergence of López could end up being a viable option and save Barcelona from having to go out in the market.

Fermín López dazzles against Real Madrid. light. Related Story

López’s contract runs out in 2024 so expect Barcelona to act rather soon to extend his stay. He left last season on loan to Linares Deportivo to continue his development. He’s returned and is now enjoying some success proving that sometimes the right move is to leave and come back a better player.

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