Why Deco’s Xavi Simons chase is an utter waste of time for Barca

Reports linking Barcelona’s sporting director Deco with a move for Xavi Simons continue to surface, suggesting a persistent interest in bringing the talented Dutchman back to Catalonia. While Simons has undoubtedly blossomed since his initial departure from La Masia, demonstrating his immense potential at PSV Eindhoven and RB Leipzig, a deeper look at Barcelona’s current squad reveals that pursuing him would be a misallocation of resources and a strategic blunder. The simple truth is that the club’s midfield is already overflowing with talent, making any significant investment in this area redundant.

Barcelona’s engine room is arguably its strongest and most densely populated department. The likes of Pedri, Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong form a formidable core, each offering unique qualities from creativity to defensive grit and relentless box-to-box energy. Add to this mix the experienced brilliance of Ilkay Gündogan, the tenacious presence of Oriol Romeu, and the burgeoning promise of Fermín López, and it becomes clear that there is already an abundance of quality and depth. Simons, primarily an attacking midfielder or a wide forward who thrives in central pockets, would be competing directly with players who are either established starters or high-potential assets the club is actively developing. Where exactly would he fit without displacing a key figure or stifling the growth of another?

Furthermore, Barcelona’s well-documented financial constraints and ongoing struggles with Financial Fair Play dictate that every transfer decision must be made with utmost pragmatism. The club cannot afford the luxury of signing players for positions of strength, especially when there are glaring weaknesses elsewhere on the pitch. A true defensive pivot, capable of anchoring the midfield and providing robust protection for the defense, remains a critical requirement. Similarly, a top-tier left-back to provide genuine competition or a clinical winger capable of consistently beating his man and contributing goals are far more pressing needs. Diverting funds and effort towards acquiring another attacking midfielder, no matter how gifted, detracts from the ability to address these fundamental deficiencies.

The philosophy of a club like Barcelona should always prioritize strategic squad building and the optimal utilization of its existing assets, including those emerging from its renowned youth academy. La Masia continues to produce midfielders of exceptional quality, and while Simons represents a proven commodity, his profile overlaps significantly with the creative, technical players already at Xavi's disposal. The focus should be on refining the current setup, ensuring the development pathways for young talents are clear, and making surgical additions in areas where there is a genuine void. Chasing Xavi Simons, for all his undeniable talent, represents a pursuit of luxury when necessity should be the guiding principle. It’s a move that makes little sense for a club striving for both sporting and financial stability.