FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick said that he is “not too happy” with the club’s issues registering new players ahead of a La Liga season-opening debut against Mallorca on Saturday.
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FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick said that he is “not too happy” with the club’s issues registering new players ahead of a La Liga season-opening debut against Mallorca on Saturday.
Looking to repeat domestic treble-winning exploits last time out, and perhaps go even further in the Champions League where it was beaten by eventual runner up Inter Milan in the semifinals, Barca has signed a number of new players including Joan Garcia and Marcus Rashford.
With just over 24 hours until Mallorca, however, those stars still haven’t been cleared to play by the league, which is a topic Flick was questioned on at a prematch press conference on Friday afternoon.
“For me it’s a situation that doesn’t make me too happy. I trust the club, [and] we have to wait for tomorrow. Last season it was already like that. We focus on what is in our hands,” Flick stated.
Flick wants improvements from FC Barcelona and star player Lamine
Something, or rather someone, that Flick is definitely content with is his Ballon d’Or candidate Lamine Yamal, however, and especially when it comes to the wonderkid’s improved work rate.
“In the end, the most important thing is that we win as a team. He is an important part of [it]. I’m very happy with what I see, he’s training well, not only with the ball, but also in pressing. He’s very good, [with] how he trains, and he has a lot of room to improve. It will be a great season. The goals are not the most important thing, the most important thing is that we win,” Flick said about the Spain international.
Delivering beyond expectations in his maiden term, Flick said that “we’ll see what happens in the second season”.
“What I can say is that we are working a lot. The quality in training is what we were looking for, we want to continue at the same level. Three titles is not the end, it is the beginning. We want to improve. It’s about maintaining the winning mentality and we’re on the right track,” he insisted.
“We will talk about the team and the results at the end of the season. We have the quality to be a better team, but it will also depend on the results, if we can win a title or more.”
Flick doesn’t believe that FC Barcelona needs another centre back
Despite Inigo Martinez departing for Saudi Arabia, Flick doesn’t believe that FC Barcelona needs another centre back. “Honestly, no,” he answered when asked about this. “We can also use Gerard Martin in this position, I value him a lot. Last year he played fantastically, he has improved a lot. Further back he also plays well. I like players who can be versatile,” Flick concluded.