Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has remained coy on the transfer situation at the club, which remains uncertain, with Dani Olmo set to miss out on their league debut against Valencia at Mestalla. By all accounts, Flick will be missing others due to their inability to register them with La Liga too.
One of the first questions he was asked was about Olmo, and whether he or others like Pau Victor would be available.
“Now we have 22-23 players and we will see tomorrow. Now everyone is in the team and they are an option to play tomorrow. Dani Olmo is still not an option for tomorrow, because he arrived very late in the preseason and has few training sessions. First he has to train to be able to help us, for us it is very important, that we take care of the players, and it is important they are playing without injuries.”
Flick also revealed Pedri could be back from injury. The Spain midfielder was injured at Euro 2024, and was scheduled to be out for at least another week. After training without issues for the last two days though, he will be in the squad.
“We are happy to see him evolve every day, but it is not the appropriate time to decide that he can play. He is a special player, who changes the team entirely, he is maybe an option for tomorrow in the second half. We don’t want to pressure on him, but he will be in the team.”
Flick: "We are focusing on tomorrow's game, we want to play a great game. Tomorrow morning the list of those called up will be made official."
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 16, 2024
On the rest of their transfer window, Flick did not reveal much more, instead pointing to their large injury list, which includes Ronald Araujo, Gavi, Ansu Fati and Frenkie de Jong. He did confirm that Lamine Yamal can play, after he suffered a shock when his father was stabbed this weke.
“I’m optimistic, but there’s still time left. I trust the club. We have more players available in the team and I hope they can return, but I don’t have a date set for their return. Their recovery is on the right track.”
“I am happy with the players I have actually. When I signed my contract, I knew it would not be easy, but when you see all of the players we have injured, I am looking forward to their return.”
It seems Flick will be giving little away with his press conferences. The German answered all of his questions in English, via a translator where necessary, and was tight-lipped to say the least.
If Pedri is back and fully fit, that will be a major boost for Flick and Barcelona. Currently only Ilkay Gundogan is fit as a senior central midfielder outside of Pedri, although Andrewas Christensen can be used there, and yongster Marc Casado likely will be.
“When I signed my contract, I knew it would not be easy”
Ahahah you aint seen nothing yet. They threw a legend in quedate to wolves.
They will eat you alive when results start to falter. With this paper thin squad, I predict the feast to begin around Christmas.
Another zero trophy season inc
PAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH