Sergiño Dest’s summer plans are clear: the U.S. men’s national team defender wants to stay with Barcelona.
In quotes published by ESPN, Dest — who has accompanied Barça on the club’s U.S preseason tour — was unequivocal about wanting to battle for his place at the Camp Nou.
“Obviously, I have to prove myself during the preseason. I’m fully focused on myself at the moment, so it’s up to me and I feel like I can and I will prove it,” said Dest. “I see myself staying.”
At this time last year, Dest was linked to a move away from the club, but announced his preference to stay on.
That seemed to suit Barça at first, but amid their financial flailing at levers last summer, Dest was unceremoniously told to find some kind of move elsewhere.
Dest ended up on loan with AC Milan, where adequate playing time (if not a starting role) was available for a few months. However, by the time the winter transfer window closed, Milan had dropped Dest from its Champions League squad.
Dest’s final appearance in any competition with the Rossoneri came on January 24, and he wasn’t even in uniform for any of Milan’s final 13 Serie A matches.
Xavi to Dest: ‘You have to show me’
Meanwhile at Barcelona, there were no right backs that the club deemed ready to play.
Julián Araujo, after initially having his move rejected due to Barça missing the transfer deadline, eventually arrived only to be stationed with the club’s B team. It is never normal these days at Barcelona.
Jules Koundé, a center back, covered the spot throughout the season, and manager Xavi adjusted by playing an asymmetrical system. Alejandro Balde was urged to attack whenever possible from left back, while Koundé would move inside to create a temporary back three in possession.
Still, all parties would prefer a different solution: Koundé wants to be a more typical center back, while Xavi would seemingly prefer natural width from an attacking right back. Just one problem: Barça’s financial issues persist, so they can’t handle the problem with their normal “just buy a new one” approach.
Therein lies Dest’s opportunity.
Per the USMNT right back, a chat with Xavi essentially hit the reset button, giving the 22-year-old a new chance to prove himself as an option for the club.
“He just told me, ‘I’ll give you a fair chance to prove yourself,'” Dest said of Xavi. “He told me, ‘I think you have qualities, but it’s up to you, you have to show me,’ and I fully agree… I think I have some qualities that can be good for the team, but I have to show it and be consistent.”
Still, there is pressure. On Wednesday, Barcelona president Joan Laporta told Mundo Deportivo that Xavi had requested a new right back, and that (true to Barcelona’s “La Liga financial rules aren’t real” traditions) the club is trying to find one on the transfer market. Dest will have major work to do to persuade them that the solution is already in their hands.
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