A dressing room stripped of its leaders
Barca lost two big voices this summer. Ronald Araujo wore the armband and helped run the group. Robert Lewandowski brought the experience and kept the youngsters on the straight and narrow. Both have gone.
The effect is obvious in the current squad. Wojciech Szczesny is now thought to be the only player over 30 in the Barcelona group. For a club chasing the top of La Liga and a proper European run, that age profile raises eyebrows.
According to Catalan daily SPORT, Hansi Flick has asked the club hierarchy to bring in leadership and experience, not just talent. The report has not been backed up by the club.
Try it for $0.99.
Rodri, more than just another midfield signing
That would help explain, again according to SPORT, why Flick is so keen on Rodri. The Spain midfielder’s move from Manchester City is still being talked through.
The German coach does not seem to see him as just another midfielder. He wants someone who can carry the side in the big games and set the tone for the younger players in the dressing room. Flick is said to have phoned him personally to lay out the plan, the same source claims.
A new pecking order takes shape
While Barca wait for a possible addition, they are already reshuffling the leadership group from within. Raphinha is being tipped as the next first captain, ahead of Pedri. Gavi and Eric Garcia could also see their roles grow.
The transfer window shuts at the start of September. Flick has a few weeks to get what he wants, or make do with the youngest squad he has ever managed at Camp Nou.
Discover the rest of the football news on our site and app, mathodds!
in your pocket.
Real-time notifications & alerts
Leave a Reply