Barcelona have officially confirmed that Xavi will oversee his final game as the team’s manager against Sevilla this weekend. While a replacement has not been officially announced, Hansi Flick seems to be the chosen one to take over.
The former Bayern Munich and Germany manager, needless to say, brings an ideology of his own which starkly varies from the dynamics Xavi has built in recent years.
Barcelona’s transfer policy heading into the summer, thus, could be in for a dramatic change.
Potential first signing
Sergino Dest left Barcelona on loan to PSV last summer and lit the Eredivisie up with his inspired performances. With the player finally looking closer to his former self, the Catalans hoped that a sale would materialise in June.
A season-ending injury last month, however, derailed PSV’s plan to buy the player as he was ruled out of action for nine months until next year.
Dest will thus return to Barcelona next month after the completion of his loan spell, and the managerial change could present him with one more chance at the Catalan capital.
Hansi Flick, after all, was a fan of Dest during his time at Bayern Munich and even tried to sign the player. While the right-back will not be available this year, he could, in theory, be Flick’s first ‘signing’ as a player the manager counts on.
Starting on a fresh leaf
Flick’s arrival changes everything at Barcelona and is indeed a gamble given the club’s economic situation.
The German tactician’s firm desire to coach Barcelona, however, gives one reason to believe that he sees something special in the squad. After all, there are profiles in the team who would fit perfectly in his ideology.
Alejandro Balde is just the type of full-back Flick demands and could transform into a monster under his tutelage. Gavi, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Ilkay Gundogan and Robert Lewandowski appear to be the other well-placed beneficiaries.
As is the case with Balde, Dest can also serve as a potent full-back with pace and trickery down the right. The only doubt with the Dutchman, however, is his defensive stability.
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