Hansi Flick's return: Lots of homework and Lamine Yamal's party
FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has already finished his vacation, which he spent between Formentera, where he has a home, and his native Germany. In fact, practically unseen, the discreet German visited the training ground yesterday for a few minutes to speak with some of his coaching staff. They are Josep Ramon de la Fuente, the goalkeeping coach, and Toni Tapalovic, Flick's assistant. Today, the coach will be in his office to begin preparing for preseason training for what will be his second year in charge of the club.
The coach will meet with some players who have already been training on the pitch for a few days on their own initiative. The first to arrive in early July was Marc Bernal, who, after missing virtually the entire last season due to a knee injury, wants to focus these days on regaining his physical and competitive fitness.
The central folder: Araújo and ChristensenAndreas Christensen has also started, and Ronald Araújo appeared on Wednesday. The center-backs' portfolio will be one of the issues the coach will have to address. Barcelona's squad has five center-backs on the roster, and currently, Flick has the undisputed duo of Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez. He also has the versatile Eric Garcia. "We are clear that we have five center-backs, and one has to go," Deco explained in the interview he gave to this newspaper when asked about Christensen's future, making it clear that, for him, the Dane, with one year left on his contract, is the chosen one to leave the Barcelona club.
Araújo and Ter Stegen
Fran Santiago / GettyChristensen's season was rather modest. He returned on April 30 against Inter Milan after overcoming a tendinopathy in his left Achilles tendon. The club took advantage of the long-term injury to sign Dani Olmo. In total, Christensen logged 259 minutes across six matches. His return brought solidity and experience in the final stretch of the season, and the club describes him as an excellent center back. But he is also considered very fragile. He also has a high salary: €12 million gross per year, or €6 million net. Another reason to open the door. At the moment, there are no offers for the 29-year-old.
Read also Which center backs does Flick's Barça want next? Anaïs Martí Herrero
Offers are expected for Ronald Araújo (26), the favorite among the central defenders to be Deco's backup. The sporting director believes the Uruguayan—who has renewed his contract until 2031—had a difficult season, joining the group in December and only starting to play in January. They are also aware that his release clause is, from the beginning of July until Tuesday, €60 million. It then rises again. Offers will only be considered if they arrive and the player requests them. For now, the only thing Araújo has asked for is to return to training sooner.
Ter Stegen's folderGavi and goalkeeper Ter Stegen have also been training since yesterday. The German has joined the newly signed Joan Garcia, who began training at his new home on Tuesday. Flick's intention is for the Sallent native to be the starting goalkeeper. To this end, the coach will hold a conversation with Ter Stegen—now the club's captain and player for 10 years—to inform him of his decision. He also plans to include Wojciech Szczesny, who has renewed for another season with an optional contract. Iñaki Peña, the fourth goalkeeper, is also looking for an exit.
The club won't apply any additional pressure. It believes that, in a key year for reaching the World Cup, a lack of playing time could force the German to leave. This is especially true given that Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann is counting on him. Ter Stegen has a contract until 2028 and one of the highest salaries in the squad, so a possible departure would be explained primarily by financial reasons, but also by diplomatic ones. The club believes he has lost influence and that it will be difficult for him to accept a substitute role. Even so, it won't be a simple process: the goalkeeper has already expressed his intention to fulfill his contract in his home country.
Read also The Lamine Yamal FestivalThe preseason is long. And the club doesn't expect a quick resolution to the departures issue. For now, all players are scheduled to undergo medical tests this Sunday at 9:00 a.m. Also scheduled is Lamine Yamal, who turns 18 on July 13th, who will celebrate his coming of age on Saturday, with the club's permission, in a town 50 km from Barcelona with a massive daytime party. The player, who observes Ramadan, doesn't drink alcohol and wants to celebrate his coming of age with friends, influencers, and celebrities, who must attend without their cell phones for greater privacy.
Lamine Yamal
YouTubeIn the middle of next week, the club will organize an event to celebrate the player's contract extension until 2031, and it will be announced that he will wear the number 10 shirt. Barça will tour Asia on July 24 and return on August 4 to prepare for the team's presentation at the Joan Gamper Trophy. on August 10 against Cesc Fàbregas' Italian side Como. The match is expected to be played at the Spotify Camp Nou.
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