Xavi responds to Jordi Alba comments on Barcelona future

Barcelona boss Xavi branded Jordi Alba "one of the leaders of the team" when questioned on the latest comments from the left-back surrounding his future.

The Catalan outfit are believed to have attempted to move the experienced defender on in the latter stages of the summer transfer window, with a loan move to Inter Milan thought to be a possibility.

Alba said that his "commitment to the club is 100%" and conceded that he would have liked to have gone into more depth on his thoughts but was not prepared to at this moment in time.

"I can tell you that in my thoughts it has always been to be at Barcelona, ​​I see myself qualified to be here for the years that remain on my contract," Alba told reporters at an event for Adidas.

"I have shown a lot of commitment to the club, colleagues and in the end, the decision is up to the club, they are what they are and there are many interests and I will never get into that issue. My commitment to the club is 100%. I'd like to tell you more but I'm not going to go into that subject.

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"I am a man who likes to go face to face I like to go toe-to-toe with everyone, everyone doesn't like it but I'm like that. I can't say anything more. I think things can be done better, but nothing surprises me when it comes to football."

Xavi spoke about Alba during his press conference ahead of Saturday's clash with Cadiz and insisted that there are no issues between him and the 33-year-old.

"We understand Alba's statement. But he's a hard-working player and it's not a problem for me. Everyone has their own personal statement and opinions. The most important thing is that he trains professionally, and he is one of the leaders of the team," Xavi told reporters.

"I've been clear with all the players, and I'm trying to be honest. I spoke with Alba, and I love talking to the players to see how they are feeling. This is the competition that exists in Barcelona, ​​and every player has to prove his worth to play.

"The important thing is that Alba is a player for us, he is committed and one of the leaders of the team."

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The defender was again a key player at club level during the 2021-22 campaign, making 44 appearances in all competitions, contributing three goals and 12 assists in the process.

Alba started Barcelona's 2022-23 opener against Rayo Vallecano on August 13, but he has since lost his starting role to teenager Alejandro Balde.

The Spaniard was back in the side against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League on Wednesday night but is likely to be on the bench against Cadiz on Saturday.

Both Marcos Alonso and Hector Bellerin could make their debuts for the Catalan giants this weekend, while Sergi Roberto is the club's only absentee due to a slight muscular problem.