Hansi Flick looks forward to maximizing star Barca defender's versatility
- Hansi Flick views Kounde as the ideal right back in Cancelo's absence.
- Alejandro Balde might get the role of a permanent left-back.
FC Barcelona has started the training sessions ahead of the upcoming season, which has presented a lot of positives for Flick's side. Not long ago, reports suggested that Joao Cancelo wanted to return to FC Barcelona' however, given the club's financial situation, added to their interest in Nico Williams, retaining Cancelo might not be feasible.
With the club willing to go all-out for Williams, Barca needs a big player sale, making it unlikely for them to sign Cancelo unless the full-back's parent club allows him another loan. Regarding the same, Hansi Flick has the opinion that it would be a great deal if they manage to get Cancelo' otherwise, he has thought of some possible options.
Alejandro Balde could Flick's left-back
Recently, as per training reports, Balde is set to start group training in a few weeks. Moreover, Hansi Flick had earlier expressed his desire to transform Alejandro Balde into his Bayern setup "Davies": extracting the maximum potential of the left-back. Added to it, the German manager has been impressed with him so far and thus wouldn't mind him making his starter left-back.
Cancelo, who used to exchange comfortably between the full-back position, can be replaced by Balde on the left wing. Moreover, for the right-back position, Hansi Flick hopes to utilize Jules Kounde's versatility to play both as a center-back and a right-back.
Kounde to play in the right-back role
Kounde, returning after having a brilliant Euro campaign, isn't unaware of the right-back position, as Deschamps often used the Frenchman in the full-back role. The kind of form the French starter has will be vital for Hansi Flick's Barcelona setup.
At the center-back position, Hansi Flick has various options to choose from. Having the likes of Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Andreas Christensen, and Inigo Martinez, Flick could stick with any two as the game situation allows. In addition to having a multi-house of talents in the form of La Masia academy, the German manager wouldn't be stressed with his defensive options.
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The preseason will be a crucial stage for the above-mentioned players to make it to the starting XI lineup. Thus, Barca looks all set to kick off their 2024/25 campaign in a new fashion under a new manager.
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