Revolution in sight on Barça's left wing

BarcelonaThe Barça sporting management and Hansi Flick are preparing changes on the left flank next summer, specifically in defense. Under the German coach's instructions, the left-back position was basically occupied by Alejandro Balde and Gerard Martin in the Bayern ex-coach's first season in Barcelona, and in this second campaign, the protagonists in this lane remained the same until João Cancelo's arrival in the winter market. Gerard Martín's reconversion as a center-back, where he has managed to establish himself alongside Pau Cubarsí, combined with the Portuguese player's rapid adaptation – he has taken advantage of Balde's injury absence – has led to the player on loan from Al-Hilal starting in the last stretch of the season, at the expense of the defender who grew up in the Sant Martí de Provençals neighborhood.Cancelo's future is, at this moment, uncertain. While Flick is happy with his performance, his continuation at Barça depends on the club that owns him. The player's desire is to stay in Barcelona and sign for the Catalan club. He has conveyed this to his agent Jorge Mendes: he does not want to return to Al-Hilal. The Saudi club paid 25 million to Manchester City for his transfer two seasons ago, and at the blaugrana club, it is believed that he could be released for a figure around 15 million. It should also be taken into account that the war conflict in the Persian Gulf may negatively condition the football market in this area of the planet.

In parallel, there is another name on the table that both Flick and the Barça sporting management, led by Deco, look favorably upon. This is Marc Cucurella, a well-known figure at the club. Although the player from Alella has been happy in London for years, his situation at the blue team – he is one of the captains – has changed in recent months, especially since January. At that time, the English entity dismissed coach Enzo Maresca, with whom Cucurella had a good relationship. The team's situation, under the direction of Liam Rosenior –who was the coach of Strasbourg, part of the same sports conglomerate as Chelsea–, also did not improve and, in fact, he was dismissed last week.

The Londoners are eighth, ten points behind the Champions League qualification spots, and the club's sporting reality is critical. With a policy of buying and selling young footballers under the ownership of American magnate Todd Boehly since 2022, the team has lacked stability for some time. Cucurella himself questioned this transfer policy in an interview with The Athletic. In fact, despite being only 27 years old, he is one of the most experienced players in a dressing room that undergoes many changes every year. All of this, added to his past at Barça, means that if he receives an offer from Barça, the full-back would also consider returning, as reported by Mundo Deportivo and confirmed by ARA.

"Difficult to turn down"? The call from Barça?

He has a market value of 50 million euros according to the specialized portal Transfermarkt –his value would set the starting price for the negotiation of his transfer– and he has two seasons left on his contract in London. For his part, the footballer already made himself available a few weeks ago. This is how he responded regarding supposed interest from Barça: "If these situations arise, they are difficult to reject, but I would have to consider it. In the end, it's not just about me, I also have to think about my family, decide together what is best for us. Right now I'm not thinking about it. If it comes, it will come, and we'll see the decision that is made," he said on the eve of Spain's match against Egypt at the RCDE Stadium.

To face the signing, Barça would sell Balde, who is on the transfer list. The club will listen to offers for him, as well as for Jules Kounde. It will be a summer of changes in the squad. Flick has reaffirmed his commitment to continue on the culé bench, but demands improvements to fight for the Champions League. Cucurella would be a coup. A revolution on the left flank. In the league phase of the Champions League, in which Chelsea thrashed the Blaugranas (3-0), Cucurella stood out for his defense of Lamine Yamal. "I was very motivated, with my past at Barça I was eager to prove things," they explained then to ARA from the footballer's entourage.

Ernesto Valverde never trusted him enough as a replacement for Jordi Alba – who never tolerated competition much – and the bet was on Juan Miranda, who also ended up packing his bags. From the sporting management of that time, they also didn't fight hard enough, neither when he went out on loan to Eibar, nor when he had the option to return and continued his path at Getafe before making the leap to England, where he stood out at Brighton. In the summer of 2022, Pep Guardiola wanted to sign him, but City was not willing to match the more than 65 million that Chelsea paid for him. Now Cucurella could return to Barça.