BARCA STARS SHOW FLICK THEIR QUALITY AT EUROS & COPA AMERICA

It’s been a quiet start to the summer for Barcelona, and new manager Hansi Flick.

That, in and of itself, is a good sign.

The Blaugrana need to block out the rumors and speculation. There isn’t a lot of money to be spent, so there is little margin for error if wrong moves are made.

Hansi Flick could learn from his predecessor. One of Xavi’s biggest mistakes was being too open with the media. The lack of publicity from the German so far has been refreshing. Although it will be more difficult to escape once the season officially begins.

Instead, Flick should be making it very clear to Deco what he truly thinks he needs, as well as preventing the sporting director from bringing in players of his own accord without the direction and affirmative blessing of the coach.

Flick has the advantage of being able to sit back and watch the Euros and the Copa America, and see his future players, many of whom are just candidates now, in action. Coming up, he’ll also have the Olympics to evaluate some of the other talent on his team.

And what a valuable experience these tournaments have been.

Lamine Yamal and Pedri will be riding the momentum straight into a role of prominence with Barcelona to start the season.

As high profile as the two attacking players have become, questions were still being asked at the end of the last campaign. Does Pedri have the fitness? Does Lamine still need time to develop?

Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres are also going to benefit from their time with the Spanish national team, even if their roles are small. Flick will surely want as much of that magic to rub off on Barcelona, especially if they’re able to get past Germany.

Speaking of Germany, Ilkay Gundogan is proving again what a critical asset he is. Full of praise from Pep Guardiola as on the of the best players he’s coached, and shining in a more advanced role for Germany, the biggest question for Flick, if he goes with a 4-2-3-1, may be who to use in the number ten position.

Pedri and Gundogan are both making very strong cases.

Defensively, Jules Kounde looks like a different player. Maybe Xavi was restricting the dynamic and versatile defender, instead of unleashing him higher up the field. If Joao Cancelo comes back, that may continue to hold back Kounde.

But if Cancelo and Joao Felix both leave, which I honestly believe would be for the best, especially considering how underwhelming Portugal has been given their talent, then we may see the version of Kounde we were hoping for all along.

Ronald Araujo looks spectacular under el Loco Marcelo Bielsa. Gotta love the energy he’ll be coming into the Barcelona season with, especially considering the dip in form he’s recovering from.

In other Copa America news, Raphinha has been challenged by Brazil. Scoring a golazo of a free kick a game after being dropped from the starting lineup.

Nothing like a summer of international competition to light a fire under the players ahead of the club season.

But not everyone’s star is brighter. Robert Lewandowski did very little for a Poland team who finished last in their group.

Frenkie de Jong was injured before the tournament began.

Vitor Roque didn’t even make the team for Brazil.

Hansi Flick will inevitably be asking himself if there is a player he absolutely has to have with the summer transfer market open.

And Nico Williams, if anyone, continues to be the name going higher and higher on the list.

Some would say it’s too expensive to pay his release clause of €55 million. Others would say, especially considering what he is proving at the Euros, that he would be a bargain at that price.

But in order to make it happen, Barcelona will first need to make a significant sale. As well as being ok with the high wages that Nico would likely expect.

You get the sense that the versatile winger is the perfect fit, and worth the investment for the long term. It’s even more encouraging when you see the chemistry he’s developing with Lamine Yamal. What a dynamic duo they would be.

If Barcelona makes a splash this summer, this would be it, and I think they would receive praise from culers and pundits if they can pull it off.

But don’t be surprised if they keep a low profile.

What we’re seeing so far is evidence that, if Flick plays his cards right and shows his ability as a world class manager, Barcelona already have enough to compete with the best in Europe.

Next season, there may be familiar faces on the field, but it will be a very different Barcelona team.

The excitement is building.

But let’s hope the club keeps a cool head.

2024-07-03T19:11:11Z dg43tfdfdgfd