At the Euros 2024, Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal stood above any defense. The duo was pivotal as Spain won the tournament undefeated, marking their Euro title after a wait of 12 years. Recent reports indicate that Nico's signing chances at Barca are multiplying as time progresses, as everybody, from the player to the manager and Barca president, is positive about the transfer.
What does Nico and Yamal's rise mean for Raphinha and Ferran Torres?
With Barca trying to sign Nico Williams by the end of this month, the player's favorability at the club is clear ahead of stars like Raphinha and Ferran Torres. Thus, an obvious question arises: will the wing duo of Nico and Yamal hamper the chances of fringe stars like Raphinha and Torres?
Ferran Torres, since joining FC Barcelona in January 2022, has featured for them in a total of 113 games. In these, Torres has managed to net past a goal 25 times and has provided 13 assists, which are decent enough for a left winger. Being one of the crucial players, Torres featured in 42 games for the Catalan club, implying his importance to the Catalan giants.
Something similar has been the case with Raphinha. Featuring 87 games since his Leeds departure, the Brazilian winger has managed an enormous 45-goal contribution. In the 2023–24 campaign, Raphinha had spectacular stats by the club's standard. The right winger was one of the key players in Barca's offensive presence, as he contributed to 23 goals for the Catalan club.
However, with Lamine Yamal's spectacular rise at the business end of the 23/24 season, added to his brilliant masterclass at the Euros, Hansi Flick would not hesitate to start him as the frontline winger. His wingmate Nico Williams had a brilliant Euro, and the club's interest in him, making them go all-out for the Basque winger, surely would make him start.
Thus, with plenty of options on the wings, it is clear that it would take more work for Hansi Flick to decide whom to rely upon as a starter. Whatever it may be, one thing is certain: Raphinha and Ferran Torres will be seen in action many times, as Flick knows how to use a winger's utility to his best.