Hansi Flick demands replacement for struggling Barcelona star

Hansi Flick pushes hard for a direct replacement signing to address the ongoing struggles of one of the team’s key stars.

The German coach, already pressing the board for multiple reinforcements ahead of 2026–27, believes the left-back position has become a structural weakness in big games, both defensively and in the final third.

With Deco tasked to reshape the squad under tight financial controls, this stance effectively puts a current starter’s place – and medium-term future – on the line.

The player in question is Alejandro Balde, once hailed as Jordi Alba’s heir but now viewed by Flick as a talent in need of stronger competition and possibly outright replacement in the XI, as reported by Fichajes.

While the 21-year-old remains a key asset and is not being pushed out of the club, the coaching staff are increasingly frustrated by his inconsistency: lapses in concentration at the back, decision‑making in the final third, and stalled progression after his explosive 2022–23 breakout.

Flick’s feeling is that Barcelona can no longer afford a learning curve in such a crucial role if they want to compete at a Champions League‑winning level every season.

As a result, Flick has asked Deco to prioritise a top‑class left‑back in the summer, someone who can arrive as an immediate starter and relegate Balde to a rotation or development role rather than an automatic pick.

The idea is not to discard the La Masia product, but to remove the comfort zone around him and raise standards on that flank – especially after high‑profile struggles in games like the heavy Atletico Madrid defeat.

For Balde, the message is blunt: Flick still counts on him, but no longer as an untouchable.

For Barcelona, it underlines a new era in which even homegrown starters can be sacrificed – or at least downgraded – when the coach demands a replacement to keep the project elite.