Barcelona’s recent Copa del Rey triumph over Real Madrid was a moment of celebration for the club, but it did not mask some of the lingering concerns within the squad. One area that clearly needs attention is the left-back position — an issue that both manager Hansi Flick and club president Joan Laporta acknowledged following the final. Despite the joy of lifting the trophy, the performance in that match highlighted specific weaknesses Barcelona must resolve ahead of next season.
With Alejandro Balde ruled out through injury, Barcelona had to turn to young defender Gerard Martin for the final. While the youngster has shown promise in less demanding fixtures throughout the season, the intensity of a major final against a top rival exposed his limitations.
Martin struggled defensively against Real Madrid’s relentless attacks and offered little going forward, which raised concerns about the club’s lack of dependable depth in that position when Balde is absent.
According to reports from the Spanish outlet El Nacional, Flick and Laporta held discussions immediately after the final, reaching a mutual agreement that signing a new, reliable left-back should be a top priority in the upcoming transfer window.
Flick specifically desires a player with more experience and physical presence, someone capable of both defending solidly and contributing in attack during crucial matches.
One name has reportedly caught Flick’s attention — Spanish defender Álvaro Carreras, currently playing for Benfica. Impressed by Carreras’ abilities, especially in a recent clash against Barcelona, Flick has recommended his urgent signing. The idea is for Carreras to serve as both a dependable backup and a competitive option to push Balde for the starting role without hindering the young player’s growth.
Understanding the importance of this reinforcement, Laporta and the club’s technical team have already started actively scouting the market, focusing particularly on fulfilling Flick’s request. Efforts to negotiate and finalize a deal are expected to intensify in the coming days as Barcelona aims to complete this critical addition before the start of the 2025–26 season.
Both Flick and Laporta are in complete agreement on this issue, recognizing that strengthening the left-back position is vital for Barcelona’s ambitions to compete at the highest level in all competitions.
Securing this signing is considered a crucial step in building a more balanced, competitive squad as the club looks to reclaim domestic and European glory in the near future.
Leave a Reply