Hansi Flick ready to hand another Barcelona star a chance to prove himself in pre-season

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has not yet ruled out the continuation of an out-of-favour member of his squad for next season.

That’s according to Blaugrana insider Gerard Romero of Jijantes, who points towards Oriol Romeu as the player in question.

Spaniard Romeu is of course fresh off something of an underwhelming first season back in the colours of Barcelona.

Brought in as a cut-price replacement for the departing Sergio Busquets, the 32-year-old enjoyed a productive start to life in Xavi’s squad.

However, as the months passed, Romeu fell heavily out of favour, to the point that defender Andreas Christensen was pushed into a role in the middle of the park in his place.

The widespread assumption, in turn, has long been that Romeu is set to be moved on this summer.

And yet, if the latest word to have surfaced on Monday is anything to go by, as much may not be as clear-cut as previously thought.

As per the aforementioned Romero:

‘Hansi Flick wants to see Oriol Romeu in action this preseason.’

Only then will Barcelona’s new manager make a final decision on the player’s future, and whether or not he is part of his plans for the season ahead.

Conor Laird | GSFN