The "silent leader" of the young Barça defense

BarcelonaIrene Paredes has started her sixth season at Barça. She arrived in the summer of 2021 from PSG as an already consolidated center-back in elite football and, since then, has not stopped growing. She has been immovable, both for Jonatan Giráldez and for Pere Romeu, and together with Mapi León she has formed one of the best center-back pairings. “A moment comes when cycles end and you look for other challenges, it's the law of life. Barça will continue and the identity of this team will not be lost,” Paredes reflected after playing the last match of last season at the Johan Cruyff stadium, where Alèxia Putellas, Ona Batlle and Mapi León said goodbye.

This year, however, the Basque center-back will have to take a new step forward to lead a defense that has been rejuvenated. With the departure of Mapi and Ona –and the signings of Martina Fernández (21 years old) and Renee van Asten (19)–, Irene Paredes (35) and Marta Torrejón (36) will be in charge of transmitting the necessary experience and seniority to compete in Europe to a defensive line in which the average age has been reduced by more than two years.

Legazpi's center-back sees herself capable of leading the "small revolution" that has taken place this season in the women's first team. "She has always trusted the young people who have arrived. She is a silent leader and wants to help the young players grow," sources close to the player tell ARA, who is greatly appreciated in the Barça dressing room.

If there is no obstacle to prevent it, the Gipuzkoan will reach 200 matches with the Barça jersey this season. Together with Torrejón and Patri Guijarro, Paredes is part of the group of captains of Barça Femení who, with Alèxia's departure, will incorporate a new member. The center-back has rested peacefully with her family during the summer and has taken the opportunity to go on van trips in the mountains.

Irene's future as a Blaugrana

Paredes' contract ends next summer, but she is happy in Barcelona, where she lives with her wife and their two children. However, all scenarios are open. “She is very comfortable at Barça, but there is still talk to be had with the club; what idea Irene has and what idea Barça has,” sources close to the footballer explain to ARA. The centre-back feels very good physically and confident to be able to perform at the highest level for a few more years.

Despite the significant absences that have occurred this summer transfer window —Alèxia, Mapi, Ona, and Salma Paralluelo— the sporting direction has found the balance between the footballers who continue and have been at the club for many years —Aitana Bonmatí, Patri Guijarro, or Caroline Graham-Hansen, among others— and the generation of young players who arrive eager to win all titles.

Regarding the defensive line, Paredes will share the defensive axis with the new signings —Renee van Asten and Martina Fernández—, Marta Torrejón, and Laia Aleixandri, who is recovering from her injury and is expected to return in early 2027, according to the club's set timelines. Furthermore, Julia Torres, Charlotta Ohlander, and Noa Jiménez are the three reserve players who have started pre-season training with the first team. Torres and Ohlander are center-backs, while Jiménez can play in any of the four positions in the defensive line.

On the left flank, last season's duo will remain: Esmee Brugts and Carla Julià, who has renewed her contract until 2030 and is part of the first team squad. On the right, however, there is only Aïcha Camara, although Martina, Van Asten, and Aleixandri could play in that area of the field. Nevertheless, it is the position where the sporting director's efforts are focused, as Pere Romeu stated in an interview with Mundo Deportivo: "We would like to sign a full-back with the ability to play on either of our flanks. We'll see if we can achieve it, but it's something that, together with the sporting directorate, we are constantly thinking about to see what we can get".

It should be noted that Barça will lose Aïcha Camara, Carla Julià, Noa Jiménez, and Julia Torres (as well as Clara Serrajordi and Rosalía Domínguez) for a large part of September due to the U-20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Poland from September 5th to 27th.