Hansi Flick axes key Barcelona defender from his plans

The defender, celebrated for his attacking full-back flair during his initial 2023-24 spell that coincided with Xavi’s La Liga triumph, arrived expecting meaningful rotation in Flick’s high-line system.

Instead, persistent benchings amid the club’s title defence have ignited concerns over his future, with visible frustration spilling into training ground murmurs as younger rivals and tactical shifts take precedence.

That defender is João Cancelo, whose situation has turned alarming since his midseason return and is not in Hansi Flick’s plans, as reported by Fichajes.

The 31-year-old has mustered just two starts in eight available matches, totalling under 200 minutes, including a premature halftime exit in the Copa del Rey against Albacete following an early booking.

Sidelined for critical clashes like the defeats to Atletico Madrid and Girona, he now languishes behind even Gerard Martín in the pecking order, relegated to backup’s backup status despite his elite crossing and dribbling suiting upcoming fixtures like Levante.

Jules Koundé’s right-back versatility and Alejandro Balde’s are the clear favourites of Hansi Flick due to explosive left-sided runs – underline the shift, exacerbated by Cancelo’s lingering rust from a scant six Al Hilal appearances this term.

Though Champions League registration secures his knockout availability, sources reveal the former Man City star feels shortchanged after accepting wage reductions for a pledged starring role in cup competitions and rotations.

Barcelona’s FFP juggling act, buoyed by Marc Casado’s €40m Saudi trajectory and youth gems like Ajay Tavares, affords Deco options: trigger the €10m buy clause or facilitate an Al Hilal recall.

Inter’s €60m Balde interest and free-agent pursuits like Grimaldo further cloud Cancelo’s path.

For the player contracted to Riyadh until 2027, this spells a crossroads demanding minutes elsewhere.

Flick’s squad harmony prioritisation leaves little room for sentiment, testing Deco’s winter business amid La Liga’s unforgiving schedule.