Since FC Barcelona faced a severe injury to their priority number 1 keeper, Ter Stegen, there have been speculations about who could be the German's successor in the role for the season ahead. However, at last, the Blaugrana club decided to go ahead with Wojciech Szczesny, former Juve keeper, for the esteemed role.
FC Barcelona's latest signing leaves the club in surprise with his physical condition
Not many days ago, after completing the official agreements, the 34-year-old veteran keeper was announced as Barca's replacement signing for Ter Stegen. Although he himself had admitted that he might take some time to get ready for the role, maybe 2-3 weeks, recent reports stand very positive in the player's physical condition.
Having recently joined the training with the team, after an individual session when the players had a day off, Wojciech Szczęsny has already impressed Barca coaches. As per reports from Mundo Deportivo, the Blaugrana club is surprised with the veteran keeper's physical condition, who is in very good shape. While this definitely comes as a massive positive for the club, it is pretty surprising as Szczęsny has just come out of retirement.
However, after closely analyzing this whole scenario, it now makes much more sense why Hansi Flick and the Barcelona board had preferred Polish International's signing over options like Keylor Navas. Among the available options for free agents, Wojciech Szczęsny, despite having taken retirement, had been playing at a top level for Juventus much recently. On top of that, given he was still 34 and had a few years of football left in him, the club decided to go for the keeper.
From FC Barcelona's perspective, Szczęsny's recent reports not only come beneficial in their availability of better options in the keeping role but also for the development of their prodigy keepers. Given the veteran's better physicality even now, he would make sure to give keepers Inaki Pena and Astralaga a tough fight for the playing XI spot, ultimately helping in their development.
Clearly, given the recent reports, FC Barcelona's decision to choose Wojciech Szczęsny is proving significant, even when he hasn't started a game for the club. Barca fans would hope for him to make such a significant impact when he does get the opportunity to be between the sticks for the Blaugrana club.