Pique challenges Barcelona to buy another central defender

Recently, Spanish media reported many times that coach Xavi informed Pique that he was no longer in the club's plans for next season. The reason is said to be that the 35-year-old midfielder has been entangled too much with problems outside his profession and no longer maintains the required physical base.

Chairman Joan Laporta has also hinted that the club need to bring in a senior centre-back. This statement seems to touch Pique's narcissism.

Yesterday, June 14th, he said in Athletic: "I will start. If Barcelona have the courage to buy the best central defender in the world here. He will be a substitute for me."

In order to recover from a groin injury at the end of last season, Pique was very active at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training ground at 9am every day.

Pique is one of the four captains, but is also known for many activities outside football. In addition to TV programs, the 34-year-old midfielder also set up his own company, co-authored the Davis Cup tennis competition reform plan, and participated in many poker competitions. Pique was once one of the most undisciplined members of the first team, according to AS.

Recently, Pique has attracted much attention because he broke up with singer Shakira for 12 years. Rumor has it that the relationship broke down because the Barcelona midfielder was having an affair.

Sevilla midfielder Jules Kounde is considered Barcelona's number one transfer target. However, the French player is worrying because of his injury history. In France's 1-0 defeat to Croatia in the Nations League, Kounde played just 45 minutes before being forced off. Coach Didier Deschamps later revealed that the 23-year-old needed surgery to completely fix the injury.