A growing divide between FC Barcelona’s board and manager Hansi Flick over a defender’s future is complicating the club’s strategy.
Given that the club needs €50 million for La Liga regulations, it makes sense that the board is attempting to sell players for high values.
However, Hansi Flick is more interested in looking at a roster that is deep and that he believes has the technical ability to play how he wants.
Thus, the situation over one undermined defender who could create a decent fee is a challenging spot for this side with a lot of depth at the back that has Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez as their starters.
In the grand scheme of things, it will be important to see how this plays in the bigger picture of 2025–26.
The player creating this rift is Andreas Christensen, the 29-year-old Danish centre-back, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The board is seeing a sale as respiratory for the club’s finances, especially with his €12 million salary and interest from clubs like Newcastle United.
But Flick sees value in the versatility and professionalism of Christensen in the possession-based style he was going for.
While Barcelona’s injury issues last season suggest a reliance on depth, the German coach sees him as a support for rotation, especially given Barcelona’s La Liga and Champions League commitments not too far down the road.
Christensen himself complicates matters with the 2026 World Cup influencing his decision to remain, as he does not want to leave.
The board’s insistence on selling conflicts with Flick’s need not weaken the squad, particularly where Messias is not a sure replacement.
This conflict is indicative of a greater issue at Barcelona, where sporting ambition and economic necessity are constantly at odds.
As pre-season approaches, Christensen’s future will test the alignment between Flick and the board, which could jeopardise their team chemistry and transfer statuses.
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