Top 5 predictions for Xavi's spell as Barcelona manager

#3 More La Masia graduates to play for Barcelona

SL Benfica v FC Barcelona: Group E - UEFA Champions League

Barcelona arguably has the most iconic youth academy in the world, La Masia. The academy has produced the likes of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and would-be manager Xavi, all of whom have created unmatched legacies. La Masia does not only teach kids about football, but it also teaches them to play “the right way.”

Xavi, who has always been one of the most vocal advocates of the “right brand” of football, is likely to prioritize La Masia graduates. They already know everything there is to know about the club’s values and will look to replicate the same on the pitch.

If all goes swimmingly, out-of-favour star Riqui Puig could finally get his chance to shine under Xavi and form a formidable partnership with Pedri.

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#2 Barcelona to play as a more cohesive unit

RC Celta de Vigo v FC Barcelona - La Liga Santander

Since the departure of Pep Guardiola, Barcelona have often depended on individual brilliance to win matches. The club’s record goalscorer Lionel Messi was the star of the show, winning matches single-handedly every other day.

With the departure of Messi at the start of the season, the Blaugrana have lost their X-factor. Now, the onus is on Xavi to bring it back.

Under Xavi, Barcelona are likely to depend a lot less on individual brilliance and a lot more on their collective ability. Xavi will look to assign certain tasks to certain players, making them a part of the grand system.

There will be solo, brilliant goals, of course, but they are likely to be few and far between.

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#1 Barcelona to get their identity back under Xavi

Juventus v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Final

Barcelona’s famous motto, “Mes Que un Club (more than a club),” defines the way Xavi sees the club. For the new manager, Barcelona are not only supposed to win.

They are meant to influence and inspire. Given his astute footballing intelligence and knack for staying true to the Barcelona philosophy, we expect Xavi’s team to play a scintillating brand of football.

The Camp Nou outfit currently lack financial stability, which might complicate things for Xavi. He might not get all the players he wants and could find it difficult to implement his system effectively in the first season.

Given Barcelona’s lackluster positioning in La Liga, a title challenge looks unlikely, but a strong finish to the season should not be ruled out.

It is tough to predict what the future holds, but as of now, Barcelona have plenty of reasons to be hopeful about the coming seasons.