FC Barcelona's victory against Manchester City in the preseason opener brought many Blaugrana players into the limelight. From Marc Casado, Pau Victor, and Pablo Torre to Ander Astralaga, everyone got the deserved recognition for their masterclass performance against Pep's side. However, there was a senior player who, despite leading the club from the front, had his future uncertain at the Catalan club.
This has been the case with Clement Lenglet, who used to be Barca's frontline defender at a stage. But, with the rise of star defenders like Araujo and Cubarsi, the Frenchman currently finds himself in an unresolved situation at the club. Though he was loaned out to Tottenham and Aston Villa, the defender returned after having mediocre seasons in the Premier League.
Barcelona insists that Lenglet's future depends upon Flick's decision
However, in the new Hansi Flick era, situations may change for Clement Lenglet. Given the German manager's satisfaction with Lenglet, he was considered a crucial part of the preseason tour. Not only this, Flick adorned him with the armband in the game against Olot and Manchester City, and as the only senior player in Barca's backline, his role grew immensely for the Catalan club.
As expected, Lenglet stood up to the challenge, as the Frenchman looked quite good against Pep's side. Reports suggest that considering his performance in the preseason so far, Hansi Flick doesn't rule out the idea of his continuity despite significant interest from Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, and Besiktas. Even though reports suggest that Atletico Madrid has started discussions with Clement Lenglet's agents and Barcelona, Flick knows Lenglet's utility in the absence of star players.
However, since his joining in July 2018, a major concern for Barcelona has been Lenglet's high salary. Thus, Barcelona insists that Clement Lenglet's future appears at FC Barcelona only if Flick counts him relevant with the squad. Understandably, the club doesn't want a substitute player with that high salary.
Though further updates on Lenglet's future are yet to arrive, whether Hansi Flick counts him in his next season plans or not, his preseason performance would contribute significantly to his future at Barca.