Xavi: The players left in Barcelona know that they cannot play for the club

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez spoke at the press conference ahead of their clash with Juventus at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

The boss knows that he needs to lighten his squad this summer, particularly with new signings needing to be registered, and as a result he left a number of first-team players out of his pre-season squad tour, making it clear that they had to find new clubs.

"They haven't been cast aside," Xavi said. "They're first-team players and they trained with us before the tour.

"But I was clear with them all in May. They're looking for solutions now, and we're trying to help them so that they can play football.

"They know it will be impossible for them to play with Barcelona, so they have to find a solution to find somewhere to play."

One of the first things Xavi addressed was the summer acquisition of Robert Lewandowski.

"He [Lewandowski] is a top player in his position and he is also humble, professional and is adapting," Xavi said. "With him, the team grows a lot."

The coach also shared his insight on taking over the club midway through the season and shared what he believed they needed to do to improve.

"It's an advantage to have arrived in November," Xavi commented.

"We had some very good games and then we dipped. We have to be more consistent".

The club experienced a big blow when their star player Lionel Messi was forced to leave the club last summer owing to Barcelona's dire financial situation.

The current coach said that while he admires the player, there is no immediate plan for the club to resign him.

"He [Messi] has a contract and it's impossible [to sign him]," Xavi said.

"It makes no sense to talk about Messi."

The coach continued to highlight the work done by the club's management this summer, having signed a host of players.

"I wouldn't say it [Xavi's own presence] made a difference," Xavi said.

"Mateu [Alemany] and Jordi [Cruyff] do great work. We are a family and we are all as one.

"Being Barcelona is also a magnet for the players".

Xavi also shed light on how he tries to convince players to join the club, especially given the current financial situation at the club.

"I explain things clearly. The plan, the city. I'm like that," Xavi stated.

"If I don't give 100 percent, I'd rather stay at home. I try to make them enjoy themselves and make them feel important. It's clear that being Barcelona helps, that's clear.

"There is an exciting project. We also speak clearly with the players. It all adds up, but this is Barcelona.

"Despite having a not so good period, players are excited to play here. The word this year is excitement. The fact that Lewandowski wanted to come here says a lot."