Hansi Flick delivers a decisive move to safeguard a pivotal Barcelona defender, ensuring his focus remains on the first team.
Amid the international break, the German tactician initially permitted a quartet of academy starlets to train with Barça Atlètic, offering them a chance to gain valuable match experience in the reserve team’s season-opener.
However, as the squad list for the fixture against Porreres emerged, one name was conspicuously absent, sparking intrigue among fans and analysts alike.
Flick’s decision underscores his meticulous approach to squad planning, balancing the development of youth with the urgent needs of a La Liga campaign where injuries have already tested the team’s depth.
This strategic intervention highlights Barcelona’s long-term vision to cultivate homegrown stars while ensuring they are ready for the rigors of top-tier football.
The player at the center of this development is Jofre Torrents, the 18-year-old left-back who has caught Flick’s eye with his maturity and versatility.
According to Diario Sport, while Toni Fernandez, Guille Fernandez, and Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernandez were included in Juliano Belletti’s Barça Atlètic squad, Flick blocked Torrents’ call-up for the fourth-tier clash.
The decision stems from an injury to first-choice left-back Alejandro Balde, who is expected to be sidelined for a month due to a thigh issue sustained in training.
With Balde out, Gerard Martin becomes the primary option, leaving Torrents as the crucial backup—a role Flick deems too important to risk in a reserve match.
Torrents, who made his La Liga debut against Mallorca, is seen as a cornerstone of Barcelona’s future at left-back.
Neither David Oduro nor Alexander Walton, the other reserve left-backs, is considered ready for senior duties, amplifying Torrents’ significance.
Flick’s cautious approach reflects his trust in the teenager’s potential to become a first-team regular, with integration already underway.
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