How harsh were the critics last October, when Luis Enrique selected Gavi for the final matches of the League of Nations. Many Spaniards had thus accused the national coach of showing favoritism towards Barça, selecting a kid who had just celebrated his 17th birthday and had only a few appearances with his club’s first team in La Liga in the legs. The former Barcelona player was in vain to explain that he believed that Gavi corresponded perfectly to what he was looking for for his midfielder, his justifications for the summoning of the one who would become the youngest player to defend the red tunic and yellow had not convinced many people…
And yet, a few months later, all of Spain is under the spell of Gavi. First, because he continued on the upward slope in club, with many interesting performances under the tunic of Barça, although he did not start when the eleven of gala is out. But above all, because he displayed a simply spectacular level in selection. Especially on this last international day, with four League of Nations matches on the program. Established in three of them, once morest Portugal, the first duel once morest the Czech Republic and Switzerland, in addition to coming into play in the second period this Sunday once morest the Czechs, the Andalusian had no trouble put on the boss costume.
A duet with Pedri that promises
If Pedri has already impressed many with his maturity and his ability to take the game on his own at such an early age, Gavi has done the same in the absence of his Barca teammate. In the midfield of La Roja, which evolved into a 4-3-3, he took control of the team, offering us high-class actions, flaunting all his technical quality and his vision of the game, playing just like a boss. If the press loses praise for him and some journalists have asked for forgiveness from Luis Enrique, the latter continues to blow hot and cold with his young player, praising him while not hesitating to keep him under pressure. . “Gavi still has a lot to improve on and off the pitch. It is a global reflection, he had launched in a press conference “, wanting to protect his player from the general fire. A strict framework that visibly does good to the principal concerned.
It must be said that in Spain, in this still two-headed context with the Madrid lobby on one side and the Barcelona lobby on the other, few players are unanimous on both sides, especially since Spain does not necessarily win titles on the international scene. Gavi is definitely part of it. Another rather curious observation: he seems more at ease in selection than in club. Under Xavi, he shone on many occasions, but also sometimes seemed to find his place on the pitch, also being a bit carried around, since he sometimes evolved as a winger. But there is no doubt that the Barça coach has taken note of the performances of his player in the selection and that he will manage to find him a place in his eleven fairly quickly. One thing is certain, with Gavi, Pedri or even Ansu Fati, the future of Barça and La Roja looks promising to say the least…