Barcelona manager Xavi has confessed Ansu Fati has fallen victim to the high level of competition for places at Camp Nou.
The 20-year-old has managed 44 appearances in all competitions this season but just 13 of those outings have come as a starter, with many fans growing frustrated at the underwhelming form he has shown since his return from injury.
Last month, Fati’s father even publicly questioned his son’s lack of minutes this season, but Xavi has now insisted he has his reasons.
“It’s that he has competition,” Xavi explained. “Maybe Ferran [Torres], Raphinha are a little better. [Robert] Lewandowski is a guarantee, and then the coach has to decide.
“Ansu has played, he has participated. He has scored decisive goals but there is fierce competition, and it must be fierce to play for Barcelona.
Competition out wide will only grow in the coming weeks as Ousmane Dembele steps up his return from a three-month injury layoff.
The Frenchman is back in the matchday squad for Wednesday’s meeting with Real Betis and will soon be able to offer more competition for Fati’s position, and Xavi admitted his side have missed Dembele’s skills.
“Clearly [we have missed him],” Xavi said of Dembele. “We have missed Ousmane because he is the player with the best one-on-one on this team.
“If you don’t believe me, do a survey of the full-backs in La Liga to see if they pride to mark Dembele or another player.”
