Five crucial decisions Barcelona boss Hansi Flick must make before the season starts

Five Crucial Decisions Barcelona Boss Hansi Flick Must Make Before the Season Starts

As the new season approaches, Hansi Flick faces several critical decisions that will define Barcelona's campaign. The German manager, coming off a domestic treble in his first season, has a strong foundation to build upon, but key tactical and personnel choices are still to be made. Pre-season has provided some clues, but with the official start of the season imminent, Flick must finalize his strategy. Here are five crucial decisions he must make:

1. The Captaincy Conundrum

The leadership of the team is in flux. There is a strong possibility that last season's captain, Marc-André ter Stegen, will be stripped of the armband. The situation is reportedly strained due to the goalkeeper's refusal to sign medical documents that would help the club with player registrations. This puts Flick in a difficult position, as he must manage the fallout and select new captains. While the final decision rests on a player vote, Flick could intervene if he feels the situation is becoming unmanageable. Potential candidates for the armband include Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha, Pedri, Gavi, Iñigo Martínez, and Robert Lewandowski.

2. Settling on a Central Defensive Partnership

The heart of Barcelona's defense is a major question mark. While Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez have been prominent, their pre-season has been a mixed bag, with both players experiencing injuries and Cubarsí, in particular, looking error-prone. This has opened the door for other defenders like Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen to make a case for a starting spot. Flick must quickly decide on his preferred center-back pairing, considering his desire to play a high defensive line. The German coach's system relies on a high line and a well-drilled offside trap, which requires impeccable synchronization and pace from his defenders.

3. Finalizing the Midfield Pecking Order

Barcelona's midfield is a "goldmine" of talent, but it also presents a significant selection headache for Flick. The manager's double-pivot setup has been effective, with Frenkie de Jong and Pedri shining. However, their spots are not guaranteed. Youngsters like Marc Casadó and the returning Marc Bernal have impressed and are pushing for a starting role. Additionally, the attacking midfield position is a battle between Dani Olmo, Fermín López, and a young talent named "Dro." Flick must determine his preferred combinations and establish a clear pecking order to ensure midfield stability and flow.

4. Integrating Young Talents into the First Team

Pre-season served as an audition for a number of young prospects, and now Flick must make the final cuts. He took five promising players—Roony Bardghji, Jofre Torrents, Toni Fernández, Guille Fernández, and Pedro Fernández 'Dro'—on the Asian tour. Based on their performances and the available spots in the senior squad, Flick needs to decide which of these players will remain with the first team and which will return to Barça Atlètic. It seems that Jofre Torrents and Dro have a strong chance to stay, along with either Bardghji or Toni. The final call on these young talents will be a key part of the squad's composition.

5. Defining the Striker's Role and Backup

Robert Lewandowski remains Flick's primary striker, but with the Polish forward now 36 years old, his workload needs to be managed carefully. The pre-season performances of new signing Marcus Rashford have been a pleasant surprise. Initially signed for a wide role, Rashford has impressed Flick with his speed and physicality, making a strong case to be a genuine option as a number 9. This gives Flick a new tactical option and a reliable backup to share the burden with Lewandowski, especially considering that the Polish striker is already dealing with a physical issue that will keep him out of the Joan Gamper Trophy.