Translated by Jen Evelyn from an interview with Sport
Sourced from: Inside Spanish Football“It hasn’t been an easy year. Very difficult, both professionally and personally. The only good decision has been to stay here for one more year. I’m very happy, but annoyed about the rest. Tito’s death, the decision to release Txema Corbella [former kitman] – who is a good friend of mine – not winning titles with Barça or the national team, the disappointment in the World Cup… and also on a personal level, not having played in important matches like against Atlético Madrid or Chile. You learn from mistakes.”

Xavi was then asked about the recent decision made by CAS, who dismissed Barcelona’s appeal against their transfer ban that was originally handed to them due to irregularities in youth transfers.

“CAS’ decision has made us all angry. I expected them to be more gentle. As a culé I think it’s an enormous injustice, because there’s not a single club in the world who takes better care of the youth academy. But we’ll come out of this like we’ve come out of everything else. This will make us even stronger.”

“For 2015, I wish health and titles. We need that. We can’t allow ourselves another year without titles. That’s our primary objective. The season has started well, we’re working as hard as we can. I’m the captain and I have a responsibility that I assume naturally, but above all, I’d like us to win titles.”

Xavi then analyzed the signings made by the club last summer, but didn’t want to compare the team to last season’s version.

“Last year we weren’t good for several different reasons. I think that this year, we’ve signed a lot, and we’ve signed well. It’s a shame about Vermaelen, that he’s had to go through surgery. Rakitic is bringing things to the team, Mathieu is performing extremely well, the goalkeepers as well.

“The most difficult thing was to replace a goalkeeper [Victor Valdés] who had been here for twelve years and always performed well. It wasn’t easy to replace the best goalkeeper in Barcelona’s history. People were scared. But that has been done and now there’s no debate.

“And Luis Suárez, what can you say about him? Now we’re only missing Douglas, who needs a bit more time, as Luis Enrique said. Zubizarreta already stated that he wasn’t a player for this season, he has to adapt. Coming from the outside is not easy. Are we better than last year? It’s difficult to compare. Alexis and Cesc were great players, and Valdés was between the sticks.”

The Barcelona captain was then asked about the possibility of early elections in the club, and whether candidates could try to use his name in their campaigns by for example saying that he could be the next Barcelona coach.

“Elections in 2015? I don’t know, but it’s clear that the machinery is already starting to work. Barcelona is also about politics. I suppose we’ll soon learn about the pre-candidates.

“Could my name be used? I’m a Barcelona player. I can talk to Rosell, Laporta or Bartomeu without any problems. I’m inside, playing. How could I be utilized? I have a year left of my contract. I want things to go well for everyone, and that’s it.”

Xavi on Barcelona’s objectives for the season, and La Liga still being open despite the fact that Real Madrid lead the way.

“We have enough time to recover the points we’ve lost so far. And moreover, we shouldn’t forget that Real Madrid still has to come to the Camp Nou. The spirit in the locker room is good, we’re united.
“We have to let the people work. Now imagine if we were criticized from September to May, and then won everything. What then? The problem is that you’re judged every day here.”

Xavi was then asked about people saying that he’s already too old to be playing football, and the Barcelona midfielder simply stated that he still feels good.

“I’ve heard that for more than four years now. But the truth is that I’m doing well. Everyone has opinions, but I feel good. I’ve been called up for all of the matches apart from the Cup games, and I’ve also played in all of the big matches apart from the one against PSG. I feel utilized and important.”

Xavi then went on to talk about the possible return of Eric Abidal to Barcelona, the lethal front three of Messi, Neymar and Suárez, and the impressive defensive displays seen this season.

“Abidal? I want him to return to Barcelona. He deserves it. He’s an example for everyone.”

“Attacking trident? It’s not just a trident because Pedro is also scoring goals, and Munir, even Sandro. The three up front are beasts. Up front, we have potential for great football. Neymar is performing extremely well, Luis Suárez will keep getting better and Messi is showing us his best version again.”

“Defense? Bartra, Alba, spectacular. 80 or 90% of the things are positive. But only the bad things are highlighted. The only difference to Real Madrid is that they’re a point ahead of us with one match less.”

Xavi on club and international teammate Gerard Piqué, who fell out of favour early on in the season, but who has now become an regular starter.

“He’s a very competitive player, very important for us. If he wants, he’s one of the best center backs in the world, and he’s showing that. Everyone has ups and downs. But here everything is under the microscope, everything is criticized and analyzed, and surely you’ll fail at some point. The competition in the team is brutal.”

“The veterans have to give more because they don’t have a guaranteed spot in the team, and the young players also have their share. Just look at Bartra being a starter against PSG. It’s obvious that it takes a lot to enter the team, but the level is very high.”

On Dani Alves, Xavi stated that the Brasilian is sometimes unfairly criticized.

“I think that Alves is being singled out too much, they say he’s not doing well. But I see him doing well. I see the reality in a different way. From the outside, there’s too much negativity. If we were 15 points behind Madrid, it’d be logical that we’re criticized, or if we had gotten eliminated in the Champions League, or if we hadn’t been on top of the group or if PSG had beaten us 1-3. But that’s not the case.

“We’re competing well. Only one of our three defeats has been deserved, and we almost scored a 2-0 goal in the first half against Real Madrid. Then in the end, they could have scored one or two more. But against Madrid, we learned a lesson. It won’t happen again. You can’t play against them to just see what happens, because they live from your mistakes and play well on the counter. We’ve already talked about that.”
“What will happen in the next match against Real Madrid? We’ll compete better, surely. That day we couldn’t compete well, especially in the second half. You learn from your mistakes.”

Lastly, Xavi admitted that the upcoming month will be very busy and tough, but also stressed its importance.

“What’s coming up is brutal. Real Sociedad, Atlético Madrid, and if we eliminate Elche, the Cup quarter final against Atlético or Real Madrid. We can’t fail because our challenge is to go to March and be alive and with chances in all three competitions.”