Hansi Flick has made it abundantly clear to one of Barcelona’s young talents that he does not feature in his plans for the upcoming season.
The new manager has reportedly told the player that if he harbors any hopes of playing regular football, his best option would be to find a new club as soon as possible. Flick has no intention of giving him significant playing time, and if he chooses to remain at the club, he should be prepared to spend most of the season on the bench.
According to reports from Spanish media outlet El Nacional, this move was somewhat expected given the player’s limited involvement last season. Héctor Fort, the La Masia graduate in question, barely featured in key matches and was typically only called upon in less important games when no other options were available.
With Jules Koundé firmly holding down the right-back position, opportunities for Fort were scarce. Koundé played the majority of minutes, only missing matches due to injury or suspension, and even then, Fort was often overlooked.
When Koundé was unavailable, Flick preferred to experiment with other defenders such as Eric García and Ronald Araújo instead of giving the young full-back a chance to prove himself. This lack of trust signals that Flick currently does not view the Spanish Under-19 international as a reliable option or a future star for the team, despite the faith he’s shown in other young prospects within the squad.
Given the circumstances, Flick has recommended that Fort leave on loan to gain valuable first-team experience elsewhere, something Barcelona is unable to offer him at the moment. This advice was quickly backed by both club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco, who also believe a temporary move would be the most beneficial step for Fort’s development.
Several La Liga sides have already shown interest in securing Fort’s services, offering him more consistent playing time and the chance to further his career away from the intense competition at Barcelona.
However, despite the clear message from Flick and the support for a loan move from club officials, Fort remains determined to stay and fight for his place in the team. Flick, meanwhile, has reiterated the harsh reality he will face if he chooses to stay — with little chance of regular minutes and a season likely spent on the sidelines.
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