Sadio Mane would not be suited to Barcelona’s playing style – according to former midfielder Xavi. The 40-year-old was quoted in the Daily Mirror as saying: “Mane and [Pierre-Emerick] Aubemayang can kill you in open space. But Barcelona need players who know how to move in small spaces.”
Mane joined Liverpool from Southampton back in July 2016 in a deal reportedly worth £37.08m (via Transfermarkt.co.uk). Since his arrival, he has scored 77 goals and provided 34 assists in 161 appearances for the Anfield giants.
Meanwhile, he has averaged a performance rating of 7.5/10 (via WhoScored.com) in the Premier League this season, so what do the Liverpool fans make of the legendary Spanish midfielder’s remarks?
And Xavi would flop at Liverpool
— Andy Cunningham (@PChampions2020) May 17, 2020
Barca’s next manager telling barca ‘he does not want’ Mané is goodnews to me….. No transfer tussle
— Indabosky Bahose ? (@Btomzz) May 17, 2020
Good job he plays for us then mate.
— Alan Wilson (@AlanWil45560926) May 17, 2020
Barcelona flopped at Liverpool
— Rajiv Chavda (@Rajiv_liverpool) May 17, 2020
Do you agree with Xavi's comments?
Yes
No
Like Barca did at anfield u mean ? Haha
— Graham Dyson (@graylpool) May 17, 2020
Yes, he would. So stay away from us
— Mas Owob (@Owobwashere) May 17, 2020
Good…should stay at LFC and become a legend.
— Angelo Nefdt (@AngeloXY) May 17, 2020
What do we think?
It’s clear that these Liverpool fans would love to see their Senegalese star stay at Anfield and disagree with Xavi’s comments. The Barcelona legend currently manages Al Sadd in Qatar, Whether or not he will return to Europe someday to manage at his former club remains to be seen, but if he does and he has it his way, it appears that wouldn’t be joined by Mane at Barcelona.