Barcelona fans may have completely forgotten there will be actual football to play very soon.So chaotic and draining has the off-season been for Los Angeles Chargers T Shirts Barca supporters that theyd be forgiven for thinking they were stuck in some form of purgatory, where the clubs finances are discu sed and debated endle sly.In fairne s, even those who dont nece sarily support Barca may have similar feelings. If youve been following the soap opera in recent weeks and months, youll already be sick to death of the word palanca, or lever.Of course, those proverbial levers are what president Joan Laporta has been pulling to inject capital. Barca were expected to work within another measly LaLiga salary limit this season before selling off some of their TV rights at the end of the last financial year, which meant they actually turned a profit.With the other levers Laporta has activated, he claims the club has brought in 860million in two months, but obviously the deals involved will result in reduced long-term income, hence the widespread suggestions Barca are mortgaging their future.Its probably an understatement to say there has been a lot to take in, and thats before we even mention the Frenkie de Jong sideshow, the signings and the latest concerns about whether their new players can even be registered.In the background, Xavi continues to plug away and drown out all the nonsense surrounding the club, and on the pitch, there are genuine reasons for optimism at Camp Nou.A platform of rapid improvementThere was a time last season even after Xavis November appointment when Barcas campaign looked to be heading for embarra sment.After a 1-0 defeat to Real Betis in December, Barca had 23 points from their first 16 matches of the league season, their worst total at that stage since 2002-03.But the same team plus a few January additions claimed more points (45) in LaLiga than any other club after the turn of the year. Sure, Real Madrid played one game le s over the same period, but even if they had contested an extra match and won, Los Blancos would still have Rashawn Slater Jersey been two points shy.Of course, Madrids focus towards the end was on the Champions League as they never looked likely to throw the title away, so its probably not the perfect comparison, but it does at least highlight the results Xavi was getting and the degree of the turnaround he has already overseen at Camp Nou.Similarly, there were signs of cla sic Barca in their performances. Their 9.4 high turnovers per game was a LaLiga high after Xavis appointment, while they also boasted the greatest average share of po se sion (64 per cent).Perhaps the biggest indicator of Barcas promise under Xavi was the 4-0 hammering of Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in Marchs Clasico. They had lost their previous five such clashes, including four in the league, Khalil Mack Jersey making it the Blaugranas worst run against their bitter rivals since the 1960s.Barca were electric going forward, carving through Madrid almost at will, while they also looked solid defensively, with Xavis decision to play Ronald Araujo at right-back proving wise as he kept Vinicius Junior in check.Gerard Pique responded by declaring: We are back.Playing the partThe improvement Xavi instigated last season was made even more impre sive by the fact certain players didnt have an especially prominent role.Pedri made just 12 appearances in the league, while Ansu Fati recorded 10. Both were hampered by serious injuries but will in all likelihood a suming they stay fit be key players this season.Pedri will be the vital midfield conductor, keepingthe build-up play ticking over, while Fati can provide both goals and creativity from out wide on the left. As clichd as it sounds, the Spain forward will feel every bit a new signing if he can stay out of the medical room.But its also fair to say there are several players whose reputations have been enhanced lately or at the very least restored.Ronald Araujo really stepped up last season and matured into a colo sus of a centre-back. Athletic, composed on the ball and uncompromising in defence, the Uruguayan looks cut out for a long career at the heart of Barcas backline.While some mightve had concerns about his ability to get Barca on the front foot, with his pa sing range hardly that of a young Pique, the arrival of Jules Kounde should offset those worries given the France internationals reputation as an excellent progre sor of the ball.Arguably the biggest surprise of the Xavi era so far, however, has been Ousmane Dembele.Almost perennially injured or underwhelming at Barca, Dembele became e sential forXavis men in the second half of last season.Between January 1 and the end of the campaign, Dembeles a sists count of 11 was four more than anyone else in the league despite the Frenchman not even playing 1,100 minutes. Vinicius, for example, registered six from 1,182 minutes.Granted, Dembeles a sists tally outstripped his expected a sists (xA), though his 7.3 xA was still comfortably better than everyone else over the same period Vinicius was second with 4.5 xA.Until he has an extended period without injury, Dembeles fitne s and Kemon Hall Jersey reliability will always be a concern, but Xavi has made it clear the winger is key to his plans, and the 25-year-old has certainly shown his commitment by signing a new contract on reduced terms. He wants to be a succe s at Barca.New bloodNow, obviouslythis part comes with an asterix. Barca have made some impre sive additions to their squad, but it remains to be seen whether they can register them in time for the opening weekend. They can only do that if LaLiga are happy their finances are in order and the club adhere to their salary limit.But a suming Laporta finds a way to get the green light before the transfer window closes, the new faces should be considered statement signings.The headline arrival is obviously Robert Lewandowski. Barca didnt nece sarily have a problem scoring goals last season, but they were short of reliable options in the centre of attack, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang often occupying spaces out on the left.Ferran Torres simply isnt a killer in front of goal, Lewandowski is, and you dontneed to go into any great detail to explain precisely what hell offer; his 161 top-flight goals over the past five years is 30 more than any other player in the top five leagues (Lionel Me si is second with 131).Among those charged with laying on chances for Lewandowski will be Raphinha, whose dynamism and exceptional creativity made him one of the standout Premier League wingers at Leeds United.His ability to come inside onto his left foot will give Barca greater invention in central areas as well, Nasir Adderley Jersey potentially key against packed defences, and hes demonstrably a wonderful creator, with his 13.0 xA over two seasons in the Premier Le