Barca big hitters talk with unhappy star.
Several senior Barcelona players have reportedly held crisis talks with unsettled star Lionel Messi after rumours of a move to Chelsea grew over the course of the week, the Daily Express reports.
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The diminutive star has apparently fallen out with coach Luis Enrique, who remained non-committal when asked about his plans for the 27-year-old.
However, senior members of the playing staff are thought to be keen on steadying the ship at the Nou Camp with stars like Xavi leading the charge to hold peace talks with the Argentine before training on Thursday morning.
The Argentina ace is thought to be unhappy with Enrique’s managerial style and being left on the bench for Barca’s 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Previous coaches Pep Guardiola, Tito Villanova and Gerrardo Martino all used Messi extensively and rarely rested him.
The situation was further exasperated by reports that he and Enrique almost came to blows during a training session last week.
On Monday, Messi failed to attend a training session open to the public and a festive hospital visit to see sick children due to illness, and on the same day he began to follow Chelsea on Instagram, sparking rumours that a possible move was in the offing.