The fundamental questions that will fill the sports papers in Barcelona for the coming weeks is how Hansi Flick’s arrival could change the futures of various players in the Blaugrana squad. Already some of the squad are on weaker ground than with Xavi Hernandez.
As per Sport, Inigo Martinez stands less chance of staying with Flick in charge. Barcelona believe he can be a useful option with experience and relatively little cost, and Martinez was a Xavi signing, enjoying the faith of the departing coach. But with plenty of options in central defence, and no express loyalty from Flick, the Basque centre-back is less assured of his place.
Meanwhile Barcelona had been encouraging Xavi to use Mikayil Faye, their Senegalese starlet at Barca Atletic signed last summer, in the first team. Faye signed a new deal just weeks ago, and in it is a required promotion to the senior side this summer. At the club there was slight bemusement at Xavi’s use of others ahead of him in the final games of the season.
🚨 Real Zaragoza are interested in Pablo Torre. @sportaragon_com
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) May 29, 2024
Yet MD say that the competition could also cause problems for Faye. Given he will be in the first team, and enjoys the interest of many top clubs around Europe, he could become a victim of the financial difficulties at the club. They say that the chances are he starts at the back of the queue.
It should be noted that Martinez and Faye are both left-footed options, and so are likely competing for the same position. The future of Ronald Araujo is in question too, while Pau Cubarsi looks assured of his after signing a new deal. The likes of Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen have attracted less speculation too.
