Hansi Flick Pushes for More Signings Despite Barcelona's Rodri Deal
Hansi Flick has made it clear to the Barcelona board that signing Rodri from Manchester City is just the beginning. Although the club has agreed on a £65 million deal for the Spanish midfielder, the German coach insists more players are necessary to strengthen the squad.
Flick Insists on Further Reinforcements
The former Bayern Munich manager believes that even with the addition of Rodri, the team still requires improvement. Speaking through the club’s media channels, Flick stated plainly, "I think we need a few more players." He wants a deeper squad to compete at the highest level in Europe.
Positive Signs from Basel Friendly Win
Barcelona recently secured a convincing 5-2 victory against Swiss side Basel at St. Jakob’s Park. The match marked the return of key players such as young talent Lamine Yamal, who scored a penalty in his first game since winning the World Cup. Flick was satisfied with the performance but pointed out areas needing work.
"It was a good test for us; Basel played well," Flick said. "The first half lacked some speed in positioning and movement off the ball. That's what we have to improve. We've got potential and I'm pleased with the test."
Despite these concerns, he praised the team’s training intensity and quality, calling it the most important factor. Flick added that analyzing both matches and training sessions will guide upcoming decisions.
Managing Players Ahead of La Liga
As the league opener approaches, Flick is cautious about managing player fitness. Many returned only recently, so workload control is key. He explained that rotation during the Basel game was based on who could handle full matches and the limited number of substitutions allowed.
New Signings Show Promise
The friendly offered chances for recent arrivals to impress. Karim Adeyemi scored the opener after an assist from Raphinha, while teenager Jesse Bisiwu grabbed attention with two late goals off the bench. Flick remains hopeful about the squad’s progress but keeps emphasizing the need for further reinforcements to cope with a demanding season.
Final Pre-season Test: Joan Gamper Trophy
Barcelona’s preparations move toward the prestigious Joan Gamper Trophy clash versus Egyptian champions Al-Ahly. This match will provide Flick one last chance to test tactics before the competitive season begins against Elche on August 23.
- Transfer Fee: £65 million for Rodri
- Recent Friendly Result: Basel 2-5 Barcelona
- Upcoming Matches: Joan Gamper Trophy vs Al-Ahly, La Liga opener vs Elche (August 23)
- Key Players Returning: Lamine Yamal, Karim Adeyemi, Jesse Bisiwu
