Laporta talks Olmo, Deco, Flick, De Jong, Araujo, Cancelo, Felix, La Masia, Nike, Camp Nou, finances

Barcelona have had an eventful year, to say the least. What began as great optimism ahead of the summer transfer window was soon dampened by the administration’s failure to hit the desired benchmarks.

The team’s strong start to La Liga with four wins in as many games, however, has again turned the pessimism into optimism as the team is flying high heading into the international break.

Speaking to the media earlier today, Barcelona president Joan Laporta spoke on a plethora of topics from the team’s strong start to the season to the financial situation.

He began by providing an update on the club’s improvements on various fronts including the economic situation.

“The club is better economically, sportingly and socially than it was before we took over,” he began.

“Three years ago, the club was in a situation of risk and we were out of control. We have worked on recovery, in moving forward the Camp Nou, recovering institutional prestige and strengthening La Masia. The club is now better financially, socially & sportingly,” he added.

Elaborating on when the team could return to the Camo Nou, he said,

“At the end of the year we will be able to play at Spotify Camp Nou, but I don’t want to give dates. We are convinced that it is a reality and is progressing well.”

On Deco

Recent weeks have seen the club’s sporting director Deco’s future questioned deeply with him even being linked with a departure.

“We are very happy with the work of Deco and his team, Deco is the reason Hansi Flick is here.”

“Deco has a deep understanding of football that gives us great confidence in him as sporting director,” he added.

He then insisted that the sporting director was responsible for all the renewals, contractual developments and even the hiring of Hansi Flick.

“He has done an extraordinary task by renewing the youth players with dynamics of the first team. Pau Prim, Cubarsi, Casado, Bernal, Domínguez, Dani Rodríguez, Álex Valle, Guille and Toni Fernández.”

“Deco is the architect of us having Flick as a coach. One of his merits has also been the work he has done on staff configuration with Flick and sports restructuring. The harmony between the first team and grassroots football.”

Finally, he spoke on Deco’s continuity saying: “He is very comfortable at Barça. In this case it is the reality. He is comfortable with the team he has and we are satisfied with what he has done.”

On the current season

Laporta then moved onto the topic of the team’s strong start to the season and the expectations from the team.

“Barça will deliver positive results this year, just as I said to the senators before.”

Speaking on the current squad at the manager’s disposal and the increasing importance of La Masia.

“We have a squad with a much higher market value than we had in 2021, the average age of the squad has been reduced, and the principle of always looking at La Masia for solutions first has been followed.”

He even praised Hansi Flick for transforming this Barcelona team, saying,

“We are very happy with Hansi Flick, he has a winning mentality, and we are very happy and proud of the squad we have now.”

“Now we see that La Masia is the core of our project.”

When asked if the team would compete for titles this season, he spoke on Flick’s flexibility and great vision for the team.

“We are laying the foundations to meet the objectives that are met. He doesn’t look for excuses and makes do with what he has.”

“He is a demanding man, he also asks Deco for many things, but we don’t have anything fixed in terms of titles. We will work to achieve it,” he added.

On Dani Olmo, injuries

Dani Olmo has got off to a strong start to life in Barcelona with two goals in as many appearances. Laporta took the credit for signing the Euro 2024 winner, saying,

“The arrival of Dani Olmo proves what I said few months ago: yes, Barça are ready to sign players of high-level contracts.”

“With rule 1/1 the final registration will be extended and will allow us to have Olmo registered without problems. A very good job has been done, with very good medical reports and a thorough medical analysis for Christensen’s injury,” he added on Olmo’s controversial registration.

During his interaction, he also gave his two cents on the team’s injury situation and how it had affected the dressing room.

“The atmosphere that is breathed in the locker room is familiar and of commitment. The subsidiary has been added to the first team such as Casadó and Bernal, who will return stronger than ever, and then Gerard Martín and Sergi Domínguez.”

“Let’s hope that after the break Frenkie de Jong and Gavi can be incorporated. Fermín has been injured, we have had bad luck,” he added.

“Christensen and Araújo too. Let’s hope they join soon. We never planned to sell them. After the break, let’s hope Frenkie returns,” he added on the defenders.

Speaking on the noise around Barcelona’s success this season, the president urged fans to keep backing the Blaugranas.

“All the Cules need to be proud of the team we have and not listen to what others say because conveniently for them, whenever Barça wins, Negreira comes back in the news every time.”

Finally, he revealed his expectations from the new signings, Olmo and Pau Victor.

“In Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, we have very high expectations. We have a great defense, a very powerful midfield and above more than complete forward line.”

“We have a very good squad and a coach who is very clear about how we play,” he added.

On the recent summer transfer window

Laporta even provided an update on Barcelona’s failure to close sponsorships and rake in money in time to make signings this summer and the failure to reach the 1:1 rule.

“The subject to strengthen sports equipment allowed us the 1×1 rule, but the sports ‘tempo’ does not always coincide with the economic time, and more with agreements of this magnitude. If we had closed it earlier, we would have rushed,” he said, referring to the Nike deal.

“All clubs have difficulties registering players. We will reach the 1×1 rule, but as I have said, we have been patient. The club generates more income than it spends,” he added.

Specifically speaking on the deal with Nike amidst links with Puma, he added,

“The sports equipment contract that we are going to sign will be the best contract in the world of football. It is in a very complex negotiation process. Currently we are focused on Nike.”

“We could have arrived [to the 1:1] this summer but it would have been hasty. We wanted to improve the contract and wait,” he concluded.

When asked why the board did not push for a new last-minute signing during the window, he said,

“We could have put a guarantee to close a last-minute signing, which was already done, but we did not want to put our individual assets at risk. To enroll the rest, we have found other situations.”

He then admitted that the club managed to sign their top transfer target Dani Olmo.

“We are very satisfied with what we have done in the market. Olmo was the priority.”

“I’m sorry, you’ll allow me not to talk about players who are not ours. He will not comment on aspects of players who are not in our squad,” he said when asked about Nico Williams.

The president even addressed the club’s inability to ensure the continuity of Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix.

“In the configuration of the first team, we have decided that the best squad is the one we have now.”

“They were on loan, it ended on June 30 and they have followed different paths. Felix is at Chelsea and Cancelo is at Al-Hilal, finally,” he added.

During the same press conference, he even admitted that the board have a clear plan with Barça Vision and the exact sum they hope to rope in through its sale. He even added that the 1:1 rule was very close and intentionally not rushed.

Source: SPORT