Flick’s big puzzle at FC Barcelona
Eight players for three positions in the midfield. This is the great dilemma that Hansi Flick will have to start solving from this Saturday. A day before Barcelona hosts Sevilla, the German coach will meet with the medical staff to decide how and when to empty the infirmary. Suddenly, if he decides to do so, he could recover Gavi, Fermín, and Dani Olmo for the Sunday match. He could also include Frenkie de Jong in the starting eleven, who has already been tested in the last two games.
Four midfielders join the group of already available players: Pedri, Marc Casadó, Pablo Torre, and Eric Garcia. All this comes after going through some tight situations in recent months, especially since Marc Bernal, a 17-year-old defensive midfielder who had made an exceptional start, suffered a serious injury due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament and an associated injury to the outer meniscus of his left knee.
The young player will face a tough road that Gavi is familiar with. The player from Los Palacios is already training with the team after eleven months out due to injury. The plan is for Gavi to gradually integrate into the team, initially not exceeding 20 or 30 minutes of playing time. He would reach his peak starting in February.
Gavi will be Barcelona’s big winter transfer signing. He was very useful until he got injured in November last year playing as a false winger. However, Xavi also positioned him at the base of the midfield, with more influence on the game. That is the idea that Flick also has, as he has already tested him in the midfield alongside De Jong. Flick has a lot of faith in the Dutch player for his technique and experience.
The eight alternatives
1
Marc Casadó
With Xavi he hardly played any role. With Flick he is one of the regulars with nine games.
2
Frenkie de Jong
He is one of Flick’s favorites. He is preparing to be the pivot after five months of injury.
3
Fermín
He missed the start of the Games and then got injured. Total of three participations.
4
Pedri
With 11 appearances and 735 minutes under his belt, the Canary Islander is the most used midfielder.
5
Gavi
About to be released from hospital, Flick tests him as a freer pivot alongside De Jong.
6
Dani Olmo
Before his injury, the new signing shone in the midfield with three games and three goals.
7
Pablo Torre
The Cantabrian scored in Villarreal and has played five games, two in midfield.
8
Eric Garcia
Flick has guaranteed his continuity. The central defender was also chosen to replace Bernal.
Frenkie de Jong is currently emerging as the main alternative to Casado. However, in their return against Young Boys after five months, they both coincided and the homegrown player positioned himself between the central midfielder and the attacking midfielder. The homegrown player, who impressed Flick alongside the injured Bernal during the preseason, has achieved excellent stats. Alongside Pedri, they have become the stable midfield pair, lining up together in the center up to nine times.
Pedri has already found his place as an interior midfielder, and it seems difficult for anyone to challenge him for that position. The Canarian player is also a great facilitator for the strikers when playing in the number ten role, a position that Dani Olmo handles very well. Before getting injured in the hamstring of his right thigh, the great signing for Barcelona in the summer had earned that spot. He made his debut in the second half against Rayo Vallecano and played the following two matches against Valladolid and Girona, managing to score in each of the three games. After his injury, that position has been taken by Raphinha, who will return to the wing. There is also Pablo Torre, who scored against Villarreal and has played two games as an attacking midfielder.
Flick may still have another ace up his sleeve to bring more midfielders together. Trying Olmo as a left winger. A move that would allow players like De Jong, Gavi, Pedri, and Olmo to be in the same starting eleven. But there will always be a casualty. In this case, either Raphinha or Lamine Yamal. Improbable.
This week Fermín has returned to training
There is one wild card left. This week, Fermín returned to training after completing the three weeks of absence due to another muscular injury. Along with Pablo Torre, he is the one with the most complicated situation. He has not been a starter yet and has only made three appearances, but Flick knows he is a guarantee in the attacking midfield. He proved it in the Games with six goals that made him the top scorer in Spanish Olympic soccer. Waiting in the wings is Eric Garcia. The center-back, protected by Flick in the summer, played as a pivot when Bernal was injured. Since then, he has played in that position in five out of eight matches.