Barcelona signed Franck Kessie in a Bosman Deal from Serie A club AC Milan this summer.
The Ivory Coast international enjoyed an excellent five-year spell at the San Siro between 2017 and 2022. He has made 223 appearances (in all competitions) for the Rossoneri, registering 37 goals and 16 assists.
Kessie helped the Italian club claim the Scudetto in 2021-22 and was also included in the 2020-21 Premier League Team of the Season.
Xavi explains Franck Kessie’s lack of playing time
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Barcelona manager Xavi has revealed why Franck Kessie has struggled to play regularly since arriving at Camp Nou. Speaking to the media (via Fabrizio Romano), he said: “Barça is here, so the competition is fierce.
He is training very well, but he is being a great professional. He sure will get the minutes from him throughout the season.”
Kessie has managed to start just two games in La Liga this season. He is behind Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Frenkie De Jong and Gavi in the pecking order at Camp Nou. He will seek to establish himself as a regular in the Blaugrana squad in the coming games.
Rubén Neves expresses his desire to play for Barcelona
In an interview with Channel 11 (h/t Sportskeeda), Wolverhampton Wanderers Ruben Neves opens up about the possibility of playing for Barcelona. He said: “Who wouldn’t want to play for Barcelona? If you ask in general, all the players want to play for Barça, one of the best clubs in the world. It is a privilege for me to be associated with this team.”
The Blaugrana have been strongly linked with a move to the Camp Nou in recent weeks. Xavi sees him as a potential replacement for Sergio Busquets, who is expected to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.
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Neves is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. The Portuguese international has made 223 appearances (in all competitions) for Wolves so far, registering 26 goals and 12 assists. He won the 2017-18 Championship Player of the Season and was also included in the EFL Championship Team of the Season that term.
Neves’ contract at Molineux Stadium expires at the end of next season. It is valued at about 40 million euros and the Blaugrana team must pay close to that sum to get his services. Manchester United and Liverpool are other major European clubs that have shown interest in signing him in recent weeks.
