Xavi believes Barcelona have beaten Tottenham Hotspur to a ‘great signing’ with Wolves loanee Adama Traore making an impressive start to life at the La Liga giants, speaking to Marca.
In his last 57 Premier League games for Wolverhampton Wanderers, the jet-heeled Spain international provided just three goals and a further three assists.
Hardly the sort of figures befitting of a marquee Barcelona signing, we’re sure you’ll agree.
But delve a little deeper and those admittedly underwhelming statistics must be taken with a hearty slice of context.
Traore, after all, is an old-school, chalk-on-the-boots, shift-it-and-run sort of winger. He’s at his most explosively effective when breezing past opposition full-backs before whipping crosses into the penalty area.
But how can Traore be expected to produce assist after assist when the man who would so often gobble up the chances he created was missing in action?
The former Middlesbrough man struck up a formidable partnership with Raul Jimenez in 2019/20.
But, in the Mexican’s injury-enforced absence, Wolves did not have another centre-forward capable of profiting from Traore’s rampaging wing-play. Yes, his numbers might have dropped off a cliff. But Traore alone should not be blamed for that.
Will Adama Traore get back to his best at Barcelona?
In his first game since re-joining Barcelona in January, Traore provided a timely reminder as to why he’s been labelled ‘undefendable’ by Jurgen Klopp.
‘Incredible’, according to Pep Guardiola.
“He is a very mature player,” Xavi beams.
This weekend, Traore marked his second Barca bow with an assist in the 4-2 crushing of reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid.
“He knows when he should face (up to the defender), when he should pass. Physically, he is an animal, a beast. He is a pure winger and he will help us. He is a great signing.
“Adama makes the difference. He has power, strength, dribbles past opponents, solidarity in defence…”
Barcelona pipped Tottenham Hotspur to the post during the final few days of the January transfer window. Much to Antonio Conte’s frustration.
Traore, at one point, looked all-but certain to seal a move to North London – even after failing with an initial bid of £15 million. That was, however, before the Blaugrana came calling.
Just to add a Salt Bae-sized spoonful of salt to those gaping wounds, Traore is earning less money at Barcelona than he would have taken home at Spurs.
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