Xavi Appears To Criticise Lionel Messi As Chelsea Transfer Speculation Continues

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Xavi looks set to return to Barcelona as manager

Xavi has a dig at team-mate Lionel Messi after the forward misses training following the defeat to Real Sociedad with a stomach bug…

Chelsea transfer talk has ramped up even further after Barcelona team-mate Xavi questioned players who complain of stomach bugs, suggesting Messi’s recent illness was merely a cover up.

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Messi was reportedly ‘monumentally angry’ with Barcelona boss Luis Enrique following the defeat to Real Sociedad, according to Spanish radio station Cadena Copa, and the Argentine captain left Monday’s open training session following the defeat due to an upset stomach.

Team-mate Xavi hasn’t hesitated in having his say on players who cry of such complaints, stating this on Tuesday:

“In football circles, complaining of having a ‘stomach bug’ sounds like an excuse. It usually means there’s something else going on. When you hear someone has gastroenteritis you immediately think, there’s more to it than that. The worst of all are pains to joints”.

Xavi’s comments suggest Messi’s recent attitude hasn’t gone unnoticed by his team-mates – and relationships between Messi and the club are beginning to show signs of strain.

It appears Barcelona’s talisman could very well be edging closer for an escape route from Camp Nou – and Spanish football expert Guillem Balague claims that a transfer for the Argentinian has never been closer.

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