A Tale of Unfulfilled Potential: Sergiño Dest’s Time at Barcelona
Sergiño Dest, the 23-year-old United States full-back, has spoken candidly about his tumultuous time at Barcelona under former coach Xavi Hernández. Dest, who joined Barça from Ajax in 2020, revealed that Xavi’s management style and broken promises led to a decline in his confidence and ultimately, his departure from the club.
A Promising Start Turns Sour
Initially, Dest thrived under Ronald Koeman’s guidance, winning the Copa del Rey in 2021 and establishing himself as a regular in the side. However, with Xavi’s appointment in 2021, Dest found himself struggling to adapt to the new coach’s tactics. He was asked to play with more caution, which stifled his natural attacking instincts and led to doubts about his decision-making.
“I felt like I had to play with limits; that I couldn’t be myself,” Dest confessed in an interview with Diario Sport. “I want to join the attack, which is my biggest strength, but he asked me not to go forward.”
Broken Promises and Lack of Trust
Dest also expressed his disappointment with Xavi’s honesty, citing several conversations where the coach made promises that were later broken. The most notable instance occurred in the summer of 2023, when Xavi assured Dest that he was counting on him, only to tell him to leave the club upon his return from holiday.
A New Chapter at PSV Eindhoven
After spending the 2022-23 season on loan at AC Milan and PSV Eindhoven, Dest signed a permanent contract with the Dutch club last summer. Although he is currently sidelined with an ACL injury, he remains optimistic about his future prospects.
“I am really happy and grateful to be at PSV, but I am ambitious and of course I would like to play in one of the big five leagues in Europe again,” Dest stated. “I think I am good enough to. With hard work and consistency, I think I can achieve it, no doubt.”
A Return to LaLiga on the Horizon?
Dest’s long-term goal is to return to LaLiga, where he hopes to recapture the form that made him a promising young talent at Barcelona. While his time at Barça was marked by unfulfilled potential, Dest is determined to prove himself once again on the biggest stage.
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