Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has made a bold move, excluding three promising talents from the first team’s pre-season plans.
Barcelona’s pre-season preparations are in full swing under manager Hansi Flick, who has made decisive moves to shape his squad for the 2025-26 campaign.
With the team set to embark on an Asian tour, including a friendly against Vissel Kobe, Flick has streamlined the roster, sending three promising La Masia talents back to Barça Atlètic to begin their pre-season with the reserve team.
This decision, reported by Mundo Deportivo, reflects Flick’s focus on balancing youth development with first-team readiness, as he aims to build a competitive squad amid Barcelona’s ongoing financial challenges and the need to register new signings like Marcus Rashford.
The three players returning to Barça Atlètic are Jan Virgili, Landry Farré, and Juan Hernández. Initially part of first-team training, they have been excluded from the upcoming Asian tour, signaling Flick’s preference for other prospects.
Meanwhile, five youngsters—Jofre Torrents, Pedro Fernandez ‘Dro’, Roony Bardghji, Toni Fernández, and Guille Fernández—will continue with the senior squad, with Torrents and Dro confirmed to travel to Japan. Virgili, a standout left-winger who impressed in Juvenil A’s treble-winning season, and Hernández, a versatile midfielder-winger, were seen as potential first-team contributors, but Flick’s high standards and tactical demands have prioritized others.
Farré, an 18-year-old defender, also misses out, with his versatility not enough to secure a spot.
Flick’s choices highlight his emphasis on immediate impact and physical readiness, as seen in his high-intensity training sessions.
The inclusion of Torrents, a promising left-back, and Dro, a mature 16-year-old, underscores his trust in La Masia’s depth, with Barcelona’s youth strategy remaining central despite financial constraints.
However, the exclusion of Virgili, Farré, and Hernández, coupled with Ibrahim Diarra’s injury ruling him out of the tour, raises questions about their immediate first-team prospects.
As Barcelona prepare for a demanding season, Flick’s decisions signal a clear vision, balancing emerging talents with established stars to chase La Liga and Champions League glory.
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