FC Barcelona is coming to the end of a successful season with three titles. Ahead of the final game in Bilbao, coach Hansi Flick spoke about plans for the coming season.
Hansi Flick’s vacation is just around the corner. Since FC Barcelona did not qualify for the Club World Cup, the season will be over after Sunday’s game in Bilbao (9 p.m.). But before the coach packs his bags, he will watch the Nations League semi-final between Spain and France on June 5. He did not reveal where he will go after that. “You don’t want to know, it’s a secret. It’s very far away,” said the 60-year-old with a wink.
Flick made no secret of Ronald Araujo’s future. The Uruguayan, who only extended his contract until 2031 in January, will apparently remain with the Catalans. “He will continue, he has signed a contract,” said Flick. ‘I am 100% confident that he will stay and I trust him.’ Although it has been a difficult season for him due to injuries and Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez have played ‘a fantastic season,’ ”he will improve in pre-season.”
The contract extension for Lamine Yamal beyond 2026 is also likely to be a formality. However, he will only be able to sign the new contract, which is set to run until 2030, on his 18th birthday on July 13. “I have complete confidence in him, he knows that,” said Flick. “He loves playing for Barça.”
The coach was less forthcoming about the future of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. The Polish player has a two-year contract on the table but is apparently still considering whether to sign it. Flick simply stated that he had spoken to manager Deco about keeping the most important players and guaranteeing Barça’s future. “He knows which positions he needs to change and strengthen. We talk a lot and are on the same wavelength.”
Diaz and Rashford “fantastic” – Ansu Fati set to leave
Of course, there is also talk of new signings. According to reports, Barcelona wants to strengthen its wing positions, with Luis Diaz from Liverpool FC and ManUnited pro Marcus Rashford, who was most recently on loan at Aston Villa, on the wish list. “I don’t want to talk about players who are not in my team. But they are both fantastic, I like them and we’ll see what happens,” said Flick. In general, however, something is expected to happen in attack. ”In the last few games, we didn’t have that many options for those positions. But that’s Deco’s job, and I’ll help him with that.
Meanwhile, Ansu Fati is set to leave, which would be anything but a surprise. The 22-year-old has only made sporadic appearances under Flick. According to Mundo Deportivo, the striker has already agreed terms with AS Monaco. “He has a contract and he has to make a decision,” Flick said of the player. “If he wants to talk to me, no problem. But it’s his decision.”
