Flick’s Confidence in Fermín López
Hansi Flick, the head coach of Barcelona, expressed his strong belief that midfielder Fermín López will remain with the club, although he refrained from making definitive promises about the player’s future as the transfer deadline nears. Reports by ESPN indicated that there is considerable interest in López from Premier League teams, notably Chelsea, who are eager to acquire the 22-year-old talent.
Press Conference Insights
During a press conference held on Saturday, Flick commented on the situation, stating:
“Currently, he is part of our team. I have communicated with him, and I am confident that he will stay, yet the final outcome remains uncertain until the transfer window closes. I often feel relief once the market shuts down. I shared my thoughts with him privately; however, ultimately, the decision rests with him. Players sometimes have other considerations to ponder, and their entourages often carry substantial influence.”
With financial constraints imposed by LaLiga, sources revealed Barcelona might entertain significant offers for López. Despite this, Flick remains hopeful that López’s long-standing affiliation with the club, which he joined as a teenager, will persuade him to continue his journey with Barça. He emphasized:
“I concentrate solely on the team and dismiss any financial concerns. My aim is to retain every player at Barcelona.”
Fermín López’s Performance and Competition
Fermín, who made his first-team debut in 2023 under former coach Xavi Hernández, has recorded 19 goals in 89 matches. However, competition in the midfield is fierce, with players such as Dani Olmo, Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Marc Carasó, and Marc Bernal all vying for playing time ahead of him. Raphinha has also been deployed centrally, further limiting López’s opportunities to play regularly.
Flick’s Praise for López
Flick praised López’s aggressive playing style, commenting on his abilities both defensively and offensively:
“He excels at sprinting between defensive lines and significantly contributes to creating space. Additionally, he is a formidable asset in terms of scoring, assisting, and generating goal-scoring opportunities. His passion for Barcelona is evident; he truly embodies our club’s spirit.”
Upcoming Matches and Team Updates
As Barcelona prepares for their upcoming LaLiga match against Rayo Vallecano, looking to secure a third consecutive victory at the season’s start, it appears that López will likely feature in the squad after training with teammates recently. Unfortunately, Gavi is unavailable due to a knee injury, which also prevented him from participating in the upcoming international fixtures. Flick remains hopeful for Gavi’s prompt recovery, commenting:
“He’s showing improvement and we remain optimistic about his return against Valencia after the break.”
