What to look out for on Barca’s pre-season tour

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Some interesting games coming up

First chance to check out Flick’s Barcelona

Barcelona’s tour gives fans the chance to see Hansi Flick’s Barcelona for the first time and should provide some clues as to what we can expect ahead of the new La Liga season.

The new Barca boss has already said he’s “not far away from Cruyff or Guardiola” and has also talked up the club’s youngsters since arriving.

Flick is also set to be reunited with Ilkay Gundogan and Robert Lewandowski, two veterans who will be expected to play key roles for the team next season. Lewandowski’s already vowed to score more goals this season than last.

Yet he’ll also be without a host of key stars. Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Ronald Araujo, Lamine Yamal, and Ansu Fati are all missing through injury, meaning Flick can look at other options.

Which youngsters can impress?

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Barcelona’s pre-season tour looks to be an excellent chance for the club’s young players to try and stake a claim for minutes next season.

Almost half of the travelling 31-man squad are from Barcelona Atletic and all will be hoping to feature in the games against Manchester City, Real Madrid and AC Milan.

Mika Faye, Marc Casado and Marc Bernal look the closest to the first time right now, but Pau Victor has a golden opportunity to show what he can do after signing a permanent deal.

And then there’s the exciting potential of cousins Guille and Toni Fernandez, Unai Hernandez and Noah Darvich. Will we see more La Masia players in the first team next season?

Players with a point to prove

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It’s not just the youngsters in the squad who will have a point to prove. There’s a host of players hoping to shine for several different reasons.

Vitor Roque is one such example. The Brazilian continues to be linked with a move away but will be eager to try and find a way to continue with the Catalans.

Raphinha, Oriol Romeu and Inigo Martinez also face intense competition for a starting spot and will want to ues pre-season to show the new boss they can be counted on.

So too, Pablo Torre, who’s already scored in pre-season in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Olot.

The midfielder has made a speedy return after hand surgery and has a chance to shine with Pedri and Gavi both injured and Fermin Lopez at the Olympics.

Flick’s pivot plans

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One of the most intriguing things to look out for is which players Flick plans to use in midfield next season. He’s without Pedri, Gavi and Fermin for the trip - music to the ears of the youngsters you suspect.

Marc Casado will be part of the senior squad in the 2024-25 campaign, after captaining Barca Atletic last year, and fans should be able to see what he can offer on the tour.

Yet supporters may be more keen to see Marc Bernal in action. The 6 foot 3 inch 17-year-old is arguably the best prospect for the pivot position and impressed Olot’s manager in the recent friendly.

Andreas Christensen and Romeu could also potentially feature in a position which Barca were eager to strengthen earlier this summer - but priorities have since switched to Nico Williams.

Flick has also hinted he’s happy with the players he already has available, suggesting another midfielder will not be added to the squad this summer after all.

Does Flick need new signings?

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Talking of signings, Barcelona will head to the United States without any new signings so far this summer. In fact Deco has been left behind in Barcelona to work on potentials ins and outs.

A host of players have returned from loan, but Barcelona are still waiting to dip into the transfer market. Financial issues means it’s yet another complicated summer for the Catalans.

Nico Williams and Dani Olmo are the club’s top targets, but the games against Manchester City, Real Madrid and Milan may show up any more gaps in the squad.

Barcelona do still have plenty of time to work with in the transfer window, but finances remain an issue and work needs to be done if new players are to arrive.

Source: barcablaugranes.com