ARTICLE AD
Hansi Flick’s arrival at Barcelona is set to bring significant changes to the club as the former Bayern Munich and Germany manager will likely implement new tactics, which could result in some players being phased out.
Currently, Barcelona’s focus is on their final game of the season against Sevilla, which also marks Xavi’s farewell. After this game, all attention will shift to the new manager’s plans.
While nothing is confirmed yet, it is believed that Flick may cut some players from the squad and here is a look at who those players might be:
Ferran Torres
Ferran Torres could be excluded by Flick. (Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)There were talks of renewing Ferran Torres’ contract, but with Xavi’s departure and Flick’s arrival, those plans might change.
Now, it must be noted that Ferran lost his place in the team during the second half of the season, mainly due to a two-month injury.
However, if Barcelona are to bring in new forwards, some players will need to be sold, and Torres could be one of them.
Flick’s preference for wingers who can perform a variety of tricks, as seen with Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sane at Bayern, doesn’t favour Torres.
While he can indeed be a tricky opponent, he lacks the speed of players like Lamine Yamal, Coman, or Sane.
Sergi Roberto
Sergi Roberto might leave Barcelona. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)Veteran defender Sergi Roberto is close to extending his contract, but with Xavi gone, it is unclear if Flick wants to keep him.
A one-year extension is on the table, but Roberto also has an offer from another club and his continuity will depend on Flick’s plans. Despite Barcelona’s willingness to keep him, Roberto’s future will hinge on whether Flick sees him as part of his strategy.
Oriol Romeu
Oriol Romeu is expected to leave Barcelona, and Flick’s arrival could confirm this.
Romeu’s performances have declined after a strong start, and he does not fit the profile of a Flick-type player as the German prefers midfielders who are tactically sharp, like Thiago Alcantara, and Romeu doesn’t match this requirement.
This is why it is safe to assume that Flick’s tactical preferences make Romeu’s continued presence at Barcelona very much unlikely.