Bernal’s contract needed protecting. We don’t want another DRO situation.He’s in the first-team dynamics,I can see Flick betting on him this season. Both Bernal and Pedri still have a lot of development ahead, and if Rodri arrives, they would be learning from the best midfielder.
What happens if the Julián Alvarez operation fails? I honestly think Barça may just step back and trust the attack we already have. Deco hasn’t looked eager to force expensive deals this summer, and this window has felt more controlled than people expected.
❗️Julián Álvarez acaba de llegar a Majadahonda con Fernando Hidalgo, su agente.
El delantero quiere hablar con el club porque cree que tiene derecho a expresar su deseo de abandonar el Atlético.
El agente del jugador se marcha tras dejarlo.
@sport.
I’m starting to find it hard to see Flick pushing for a new defender now that the Bastoni and Romero talk has cooled. Christensen’s issue is injuries, not quality. When he was fit with Araujo, the defence felt elite. A Christensen–Cubarsí pairing could surprise a lot of people.
According to reports, Flick refused Bastoni too. Feels a bit strange.
I’m left myself questioning who/what Flick wants, or whether these reports are even to be believed.
𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀 𝐌𝐃
🧐 Recta final por Rodri
👉 El acuerdo entre el Barça y el Manchester City está cerca de rubricarse, pendiente de pequeños detalles
👉 Oficialmente, el City sigue esperando al centrocampista el próximo viernes, cuando está citado
✍️ @JoanPoquiEraso
https://t.co/qDBZSddDOg
— giving Pedri more freedom, reducing his defensive burden, and using Rodri to make both the midfield and the back line more secure with the ball. I’m keen on that tactical chain reaction more than the transfer itself.
The exciting part isn’t simply adding Rodri. Pedri never looked as influential for Spain beside him as many of us expected, and I’ve always wondered whether it was the role or the structure, What really interests me is how Flick would tweak that partnership
One of the main reason we won the league last season is Joan Garcia insane performance. Statistically, he prevented more than 10 goals, i guess it was the best for GK in top 5 league. Repeating those insane numbers is unlikely this season.
So we have to fix the defense. For that we have to fix the midfield first. We play with two midfielders and our midfield can't provide enough cover for the defense. And we end up conceding high quality chances.
One of the main reason we won the league last season is Joan Garcia insane performance. Statistically, he prevented more than 10 goals, i guess it was the best for GK in top 5 league. Repeating those insane numbers is unlikely this season.
Bernal is still 19, has barely played senior football, What stood out before the injury wasn’t just his passing — it was his calm under pressure, positioning, and how naturally he occupied central spaces. Those are the traits that usually take years to develop in a Barça DM.
@NealGardner_ After seeing what Flick managed to get out of Raphinha, Eric and Gerard Martín, my first reaction to these new names is no longer “are they good enough?” It’s “what does Flick think they can become?” I trust his eyes
His biggest weapon isn’t hugging the touchline or spamming crosses; it’s receiving deeper, driving inside on the underlap, and attacking space with momentum. When he starts his run earlier, he looks far more dangerous. I’d rather build around his carries than around his crossing.
Alejandro Balde should play on the underlap because he has more space to carry from deep to opposition’s box. That way he looks sharper & sees the danger early in OOP.
But he needs to demand more concentration from himself. About his deliveries in the final third, if it improves, fine. But if it doesn’t really improve, you mask it if he doesn’t get there very often.
So, don’t always make him the primary width holder.
There’s a scenario where Cancelo returns and instantly becomes our best progressive passer from wide areas. There’s another where he spends half the season teaching our young defenders when not to follow him into midfield.
🚨🔵🔴 Barcelona remain in active talks to João Cancelo from Al Hilal, it’s expected to happen soon as João only wants Barça.
Deal was not done in July despite reports but seen as matter of time.
🎥➕ https://t.co/G4W2Hhihnw
If City are holding out for around £60m, I understand it. Players like Rodri barely exist. The question is whether we’re finally willing to spend heavily on the position that has defined Barça at its best for decades.
I keep thinking about how different this would feel from the Lewandowski summer. Then we were buying goals. Now we’re trying to buy control, rhythm, and security in midfield. That says a lot about what Flick believes this team lacks.
One underrated thing this summer: we’ve heard far less public leaking from the coaching staff than in previous years. The club feels more controlled, even while difficult decisions are being made.
What if the biggest compliment to Cubarsí is that we’re no longer talking about buying someone to play ahead of him? At his age, that says an enormous amount.