Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has expressed regret over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure to Chelsea on transfer deadline day.
Aubameyang joins the Blues in a £10 million deal, while Marcos Alonso moves in the opposite direction.
During his short stint at the Nou Camp, the 33-year-old netted 13 times in 23 matches.
“I feel bad because he helped us a lot,” said Xavi during his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“He is an example on and off the pitch, he made a big difference, just look at his numbers. As a person, he is a jewel, always training with a smile on his face. It’s a shame because these kinds of players you want to have in your squad but it was a good opportunity for him and for the club as well.
“We needed to put the pieces of the puzzle together, we are all happy but I feel bad as a coach to lose a player like Aubameyang. He was an example for the entire club and all the players.”
Aubameyang was expected to lead Barcelona’s attack this season, but Xavi brought in Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich.
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