From all-Dutch to no-Dutch in a single week: Xavi shows Depay Barca's exit doors

The connection between FC Barcelona and the Dutch coaches and players is weird. Of course, it all started back in the '70s with legendary Johan Cruyff and his Netherlands teammate Johan Neeskens. Ever since, the Blaugrana have nurtured a rather unusual bond with the Dutch footballers with periods of massive deployment of those mentioned above and, in some other circumstances and times, taking the U-turn with not a single one of them in the squad.

One would say it has to do with the fact who is in the dugout because Cruyff brought Ronald Koeman and Rich Witschge; Louis Van Gal signed a dozen of them - Kluivert, Bogarde, Reiziger, Zenden, Cocu, Hesp; Frank Rijkaard brought on Davids and Van Bronckhorst; Koeman (as a coach this time) made his mark with Frenkie and Luuk De Jong, and, finally, Memphis Depay.

Memphis, pack your bags and leave Barcelona if you want to play in the World Cup

However, now when legendary Xavi is in charge of his boyhood club, and with all the financial crisis and issues the Catalan giants are facing, there's a genuine low tide of the Dutchmen at Camp Nou.

Firstly, experienced Luuk de Jong ended his loan at Barcelona, signing a permanent deal with PSV Eindhoven.

After that, the rumours of Frenkie de Jong's move to Manchester United became more and more vocal, with the transfer being days if not hours away from completing.

Dutch overtake at Old Trafford - De Jong close to joining his former coach for 'pocket money'

And now, last but not least, the Spanish newspaper AS reveals that Xavi has no longer Memphis Depay in his future plans for the team.

"This week, the club informed his agents that the player was not part of the Blaugrana coach's future plans, so the most viable alternative would be to find a team for him in this transfer window, especially considering that the striker's contract ends in one year. The club will try to make things very smooth and easy, as long as the offer is around 25 million euros," AS reports.

According to them, Xavi considers that with the signing of Raphinha, he's packed in the offence. There are already the likes of Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, Abde, and Collado after his loan at Granada. In addition, Xavi is still waiting to hear Dembele's riposte, which is closer to 'yes' with each passing day.

Barca's ultimatum to Dembele - this time, not even his guardian angel Xavi could save him

The 'strange' messages that the Dutch forward has been sending this week through social networks can also be interpreted as a reaction to the 'inputs' that have come to him from the club:

"I see how certain tactics around me as a football player. All is well, God likes this about me…that is why I am favoured. All my life, I was not good enough, I did not apply the standard appearance and I did not have the correct behavior. That's what happens when you live freely. This season is about to be scary, " concluded he.