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The US pre-season tour saw a number of Barcelona youngsters get an opportunity to make an impression on new manager Hansi Flick heading into the 2024/25 campaign.
And, without question, one of the biggest positives of the trip was the emergence of young midfield sensation Marc Bernal.
While the 17-year-old has long been tipped for a bright future at the club, the US tour showed that the young pivot midfielder is capable of making a mark on the big stage against big opposition.
Bernal’s displays convince Flick to alter transfer plans
Bernal showcased his qualities and abilities in the matches that he played on the US tour, operating as a defensive midfielder in the 4-2-3-1 system that Hansi Flick used.
And the manager was so impressed by the 17-year-old’s performances that he and Barcelona decided not to sign a new pivot midfielder this summer, changing their initial transfer plans, reports Jaume Mercet of SPORT.
It is no secret that the Catalans came into the summer wanting to sign a new No. 6 and were linked to players like Joshua Kimmich and Mikel Merino.
However, Flick confirmed earlier this week that there will be no signings made to strengthen the defensive midfield region.
Hansi Flick has been completely won over by Bernal. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)And, Bernal’s emergence as an option during the pre-season is one of the main factors behind Barcelona changing their transfer strategy.
How was Flick convinced
Coming into the Barcelona job, Flick was understood to be aware of Marc Bernal’s potential and he was soon handed a dossier on the 17-year-old prospect by former Barça Atletic boss Rafa Marquez, who coached the youngster last season.
The training sessions and pre-season matches have gone on to confirm Marquez’s impressions. Flick has been impressed by Bernal’s technique, athletic ability, vision and speed of execution in all his actions.
The technical aspect was not a surprise considering that the youngster is a La Masia product but Flick has been amazed by the physical prowess displayed by the teenager, so much so that he saw in Bernal a prototype German midfielder.
In terms of vision and speed of execution, Flick’s staff, especially Thiago, have been impressed with what Bernal has shown against the likes of Man City, Real Madrid and Milan.
The departure of Oriol Romeu and Sergi Roberto and the economic difficulty in making a big-money move for a top midfielder have led Flick to bet on Bernal as well as Marc Casado.
