Ansu Fati has returned to Barcelona after spending the recently concluded season on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Xavi Hernández, who left the Camp Nou last month, left the 21-year-old out of his plans, and this convinced him to join the Seagulls on a temporary deal towards the end of last summer.
The attacking midfielder’s game time at Brighton was restricted partly due to a calf injury he picked up in November, and he found it difficult to enter into Roberto De Zerbi’s plans since regaining full fitness in February.
Fati was restricted to less than 1,000 minutes from 27 games, managing four goals and an assist in the process.
The Spain international is back home, and that gave Mundo Deportivo an opportunity to have a detailed chat with him. When asked how it feels to be back home, he opened up on what he gained from his time at Brighton.
Despite finding it difficult to feature regularly towards the end of his loan spell at Brighton, Fati says the Seagulls experience has been worthwhile for him.
“It’s a very intense, super demanding league. Any team can beat you in every game. I have learned many things from both my teammates and the club,” Fati explained.
“It was the first time I left Spain and it was a very nice experience. I take away many things and I also highlight the Premier League, which I found very interesting because it is one of the best in the world.
“I came to Barca when I was 10 years old and, since I was little, I have been away from home. Having experienced it as a child, it has been less hard now. It has been special.”
On what he has learned from his transfer to Brighton, Fati said: “Playing in a league like the Premier League makes you improve in every way. It is a very demanding and physical league, I have met new people and with them new working methods. I’ve gained a lot.”
