Many decisions that are made cause a great deal of anger and resentment, but time is often enough to prove the correctness of those decisions and the fairness of the person who bore their consequences from the start.
The German coach Hansi Flick is experiencing this firsthand after making a decision against club president Joan Laporta last summer. Time, however, has proven that Flick’s words were correct.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper “El Nacional”, last summer, Federico Chiesa was close to joining Barcelona as an emergency reinforcement after the club failed to sign Nico Williams.
The Italian forward, who had lost his starting spot at Juventus, was offered to Barcelona for a relatively low price of just 15 million euros, a deal that many considered a bargain for Chiesa’s talent.
The sports management and the team’s coach, Hansi Flick, were under significant pressure at the time, as many believed Chiesa could be a strong addition to the attacking line, which needed extra depth.
However, Flick stuck to his guns. In a decision that was widely criticized at the time, he refused to sign Chiesa. For Flick, the player didn’t fit into his tactical plans or the dynamic he hoped to establish with the team, which already had wingers like Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Ferran Torres.
Flick also pointed out that Chiesa had struggled with physical problems in recent seasons, which posed a significant risk for Barcelona, who needed stability and assurance in attack.
In the end, Chiesa moved to Liverpool, where he was expected to find a fresh opportunity in his career and become an important part of the English side. But things didn’t go as planned.
Since arriving at Anfield, Chiesa has failed to gain the trust of coach Arne Slot, who has given him only a handful of minutes in the Premier League. Chiesa’s role has been limited to substitutes, and his performance during those few opportunities has been far from what was expected, leading to doubts about his future at Liverpool.
What was seen as a potential opportunity for both Barcelona and Liverpool has now turned into a resounding failure. Reports from England suggest that Chiesa could leave Liverpool in the winter transfer window, just a few months after joining. This move could be an attempt by the English club to cut their losses and make room in the squad. What was meant to be a fresh start in a competitive league has turned into a nightmare for Chiesa, with a lack of minutes and uncertainty over his future.
For his part, Hansi Flick has proven that his refusal to sign Chiesa was the right decision. The coach prioritized team cohesion and avoided the potential for disruption in the Barcelona dressing room. By doing so, Barcelona was able to avoid an uncertain investment in a player who could have added unnecessary financial strain at a time when the club’s finances required careful management.
In the end, time has proven Flick’s decision and vision to be correct: signing Chiesa would have been a mistake for Barcelona, who are now continuing their steady offensive progress under the German coach.