Deco talks Flick, Xavi, Olmo, Victor, Gavi, Bernal, Frenkie, Laporta, transfers

In a recent interview with Barça One (h/t SPORT), Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, provided insight into various aspects of the club’s operations.

Deco began by addressing the complexities of the summer transfer market. He described it as a challenging period where, despite having clear objectives, many factors are beyond the club’s control.

“It’s always a very complicated time. There’s always work to do, but during the transfer window…we had clear ideas and in the end, we tried to do what we had planned little by little. 

“Sometimes it’s not easy because many things don’t depend only on what we want. It depends on the decisions of other clubs, of the players…you try to control it but you can’t control everything. We’ve done our homework,” he explained.

He expressed satisfaction with the support from President Joan Laporta, highlighting that working at Barça is about contributing to the club’s legacy rather than seeking personal glory.

“I’m happy because when you work at Barça the main objective is to be part of something. We are not the stars, but the players and coaches.

“We are trying to help the club restructure itself. There was already a restructuring with Xavi, and a league title was won. The coach has changed, but the idea is the same. Players with La Masia and footballers hungry to win titles,” noted Deco.

Hansi Flick and his demands

On the subject of Hansi Flick, Deco praised the coach’s extensive experience and calm, methodical approach.

Flick’s background of managing top teams brings reassurance to the club. Deco noted that the German’s ability to handle critical issues and his clear working methods were particularly valued.

“Hansi has the experience, the years are what give you. He has this, he has trained great teams, and he knows what it is like to be in a great club. And this gives us peace of mind.

“He is a calm person, he is a hard worker, he is a coach who has clear ideas, he is very demanding, very clear about what he has to do. And I would define him as a hard worker.”

Young players coming in

Regarding the young players, Deco expressed confidence in their development. The club had high hopes for the youngsters and the preseason provided a good gauge of their potential.

Players like Marc Casado and Fermin Lopez showed promise, while Marc Bernal’s performance was closely monitored.

Deco noted that the return of Ansu Fati and the signing of Dani Olmo were part of their strategic planning. The aim was to enhance the squad without compromising its quality, avoiding the temptation to sell key players despite receiving offers.

“We wanted to see during the preseason the level of the youngsters, how they would develop at a higher level. Casado, for example, we already knew.

“We knew Bernal could perfectly perform at the level. But we had doubts because of his age. We needed to test him. The idea was that if the youngsters worked we didn’t have to go to the market so much.” 

Deco addressed the inclusion of Dani Olmo, stating that he brought qualities the team was missing, such as linking play and scoring goals. While Fermin has similar attributes, Olmo’s profile was seen as a necessary addition to balance the squad.

“Within what we had planned we found the balance. The signing of Olmo gives us that, he is a different profile. Keep Raphinha, who we had. There were offers, but we didn’t want to lose anyone important.”

“Let’s not forget that we have Gavi, Frenkie, who is still recovering, we have Ronald, Christensen. When they come back the problem will be for the coach because they won’t be able to play all the time. 

“I think that last year we had a shorter squad. This year Hector, Sergi Domínguez can play… they have taken a step forward.”

Upon asking why Olmo, he said, “Because Dani is the midfield player we didn’t have. There was a lot of quality, but Dani was a player we were missing.

“He knew that Barça was his dream, especially to win titles. It’s not enough to come, you also have to want to win and have ambition.”

He also touched on the significance of Pau Victor, who was on loan last season but has now joined the team permanently. Victor’s versatility and enthusiasm were seen as valuable assets.

“He was an important player last season. He was a player who was on loan, he was not ours. We had the option to keep him and that’s what happened.” 

Fair Play regulation and Xavi

Fair play regulations were another topic, with Deco acknowledging their impact on the club’s decision-making.

While these rules can constrain transfer activities, the club had to navigate them carefully, ensuring that any new signings would enhance rather than dilute the squad’s quality.

“Fair play affects everything. It’s a very debatable issue. The league must have rules, but it has to adapt. 

“With 1:1 maybe more signings could have come. But not signing for signing’s sake. We couldn’t lower the level,” explained Deco.

Finally, Deco reflected on Xavi’s contribution to the club, noting that he played a crucial role during a period of transition. Xavi’s successes and his efforts in integrating new talent have been pivotal in the club’s progress.

“Xavi has been very important for the club in a difficult time, a change of cycle. Important players who have won things and you have to renew the team. 

“He has won a League when people did not expect it. Xavi has given debuts to important players for the club and the future. He has done his job and has helped the growth process. I am clear about that,” noted Deco.

Club’s decision-making

When it comes to decision-making, Deco explained that the process involves thorough discussions and careful consideration.

“We talk to the coach, we analyse positions. When we lost Bernal we had Christensen and Araujo out. Centre-backs and pivots. But at the same time, we were close to recovering Gavi and Frenkie. 

“The coach was the first to say that if we could not bring our level back we could continue with what we have. We reflect, we do not make hasty decisions.”

Looking ahead, Deco believes that Barcelona’s current squad is competitive, with many players of high calibre who attract interest from other clubs.

This indicates the strength of their squad and their potential to compete at the highest levels. Deco’s optimism suggests that the team is well-positioned to improve upon last season’s performance and make a significant impact.

“When we look at the other teams…we have players who are European champions, who the market wants. We could have sold 4-5-6 players or many more. It’s a sign that we have an important squad if the clubs come knocking on your door,” he said.