Barcelona’s defeat to Las Palmas at Montjuïc was a serious warning sign for the team’s camp. The shocking 1-2 result in favor of a team battling relegation was not only their third consecutive slip-up in La Liga, with Barcelona having taken just one point from the last nine possible, but it also exposed major issues with the performance of some key players.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick did not hide his displeasure after the match, expressing his anger in the press conference and stressing the need to improve performance, especially in the defensive line. Sources close to the club confirm that Flick has already informed club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco about the urgent need to make deals in the winter transfer market.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper “El Nacional”, one of Flick’s main goals is to sign a replacement for French defender Jules Koundé.
Koundé had a great start to the season, shining in defense and making important offensive contributions. However, his level has declined significantly in recent matches, with concentration errors and unnecessary loss of the ball hindering the team at crucial moments.
Flick believes Koundé needs a morale boost, particularly through direct competition in his position. The German coach believes the Frenchman would benefit from having a strong player to compete for his spot and may even leave him out of the starting line-up in some matches until he regains his form.
In light of these circumstances, Flick stressed the importance of signing a reliable right-back. He believes that securing a strong replacement in this position will not only improve the team’s competitive level but will also give Koundé the opportunity to regain his confidence without the pressure of being a starter.
One of the names that Barcelona could be monitoring is Dutchman Jeremie Frimpong, the young full-back at Bayer Leverkusen. Frimpong is one of the most prominent discoveries in the Bundesliga, and is characterized by his speed, defensive strength, and attacking ability, all of which fit Flick’s needs.
Barcelona’s crisis in La Liga has put the team in a difficult position, as they risk losing the top spot in the table. Although the season is still long, Flick knows that the team cannot afford any more mistakes if they are to compete for the title.
With the January transfer window approaching, the ball is now in Laporta and Deco’s court. Hiring Flick as a top coach was a big step, but the coach needs reinforcements to make the most of a team that, despite its great technical abilities, still suffers from some gaps at crucial moments.