Deco started the interview by addressing the most hot topic around Barça that is Xavi’s replacement. Deco said he was as surprised as everyone by the decision and said that the board hasn’t finalised any name yet. And the coach will be the one who wants to follow the board’s working plan, playing good football and with ambition. He also said that he admires all the coaches we have been linked with but he or the board hasn’t started talks with any of them. This includes the likes of Jurgen Klopp,Thiago Motta and also Rafa Marquez.
Deco also appreciated Raphinha and said that he has been key to our last season’s success. Also on adding players to the squad, Deco said that Barça wants to sign one or two players needed but also we don’t want to sell our crucial players. He also answered the doubts on keeping Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix for next season. He said that both have been performing well and are helping to win games thus Barça would like to keep both of them at the end of the season.
Deco told the fans to come out of the Pep delusion that only he is the one who can bring Barça back to our best. He added that we aren’t what we are today because of one or two persons, it’s a contribution of many people. Thus saying that Pep had at its disposal the likes of Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Yaya Toure, Eto’o and that too even after the departures of big names like Ronaldinho. Deco also doesn’t detract from Guardiola’s contributions, praising him for creating what he considers the greatest team he has ever witnessed.
Deco also touched on the underappreciation of the league title won last year, feeling it deserved more recognition. And Deco also tossed in a much-needed dose of optimism by saying that he firmly believes we can still win LaLiga and with a recent victory fueling our hopes, Deco reminds us that the battles leading up to the Napoli clash are crucial for both us and our adversaries.
