Injuries Tighten Barça's Grip as Flick Unveils an Unlikely Plan

Injury Storm Hits Barça

A wave of injuries has hit Barcelona this season, forcing head coach Hans Flick to keep a constant close eye on Barça Atlètic prospects in case first-team calls become necessary in the coming weeks.

According to the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the standout talent Flick is watching most closely is Chavi Espart, 18, who began his career as a central midfielder before moving to the right side of defense. The young player joined first-team training last week, a move that could pave the way to an official debut given the defensive shortages the team is facing.

Espart is part of a rising group of youngsters knocking on the door of the first team, including Geoffrey Torrents (18) at left-back, Pedro “Dru” Fernandez (17) a midfielder who balances defense with build-up, Toni Fernandez (17), and Jille Fernandez (17), currently out with injury.

In addition, in first-team training the young goalkeepers Diego Coshin (19) and Eder Ayer (18) are involved due to the absence of key shot-stoppers, which gives Flick an early look at the team’s future between the posts.

Two academy products also joined the first-team training: Tommy Marques (19) and Álvaro Cortés (20). Marques is viewed as a promising holding midfielder, while Cortés, a physically strong left-sided center-back, has previously trained with the first team and is seen as a potential upgrade to cover that position.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano noted that several Premier League clubs have shown interest in Marques, but the player reportedly prefers to remain at Barcelona to continue growing within the club’s environment, which he trusts for his development.

Meanwhile, Andrés Quinca (18), a left-back who already featured for the first team in European competition last season, continues to progress with Barcelona Atlètic, under the guidance of Julián Beleti, as part of the club’s broader plan to strengthen the squad from within.

Injury Nightmare: 15 Blows to Barça

This season has been far from stable for Barcelona, with injuries piling up across the lineup. The current tally stands at 15 injuries, the latest being Pedri’s, a player central to Flick’s plans. Pedri’s absence robs the team of a crucial engine in the center of the park, and his loss also deprives Frenkie de Jong of his usual construction partner in the middle.

The club confirmed Pedri’s injury—a setback in the hamstring area—which comes just after the red card that kept him out of the Clasico clash with Real Madrid. The report from Mundo Deportivo notes that Pedri’s absence not only affects the starting XI but unsettles the team’s balance on both technical and tactical levels, depriving Flick of the player who brings midfields harmony and creativity in equal measure.

De Jong at the Heart of the Plan

With Pedri and Gavi out, Flick faces a tactical puzzle where few midfield options bring the same balance. The current roster lists three players in central midfield: Frenkie de Jong, Marc Casado, and Marc Bernal, plus three attacking-minded players: Fermín López, Dani Olmo (whose return from a long injury layoff is imminent), and Dru Fernandez.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the closest plan for the upcoming Elche match is a midfield trio of De Jong, Casado, and Fermín López. The exact role for De Jong remains unsettled: will he serve as a defensive midfielder again, or operate higher as a playmaker behind the forwards, in a Pedri-like capacity?

Flick has already tested both formations this season, and the team seems more comfortable with De Jong as a deeper playmaker who links the lines. Yet the Dutch international possesses the vision, dribbling ability, and passing range to fulfill Pedri’s role if needed.

Accompanying a still-developing midfield, Fermín López has been highlighted as a potential option to take on more creative responsibilities, particularly if Olmo remains unavailable and Bernal’s emergence continues in fits and starts. The dynamic is evolving, and Barca’s coaching staff is watching closely as they balance experience with the club’s growing talent pool.

De Jong: The Beating Heart of Barça

Many see Frenkie de Jong as the pillar of trust for Flick at this critical stage, a figure who could recalibrate Barcelona’s identity as the team navigates a sea of injuries. The Dutch international has already played 11 matches this season (8 in La Liga and 3 in the Champions League), totaling 854 minutes, with 643 minutes in the league and 211 in Europe—underlining his importance to the side’s balance and progression.

The club’s hierarchy believes De Jong can bring composure and leadership to guide the younger players, helping to build from the back and execute incisive passes that unlock opposition lines. Pedri’s absence has forced Flick to reimagine his midfield, blending tested maturity with the fresh energy of academy graduates, and leaning on De Jong’s leadership to drive the team forward.

As injuries mount and the experiment continues, Barça appears to be entering a true test of its ability to restore balance and preserve the Catalan club’s distinctive playing philosophy amid disruption. The coming weeks will reveal whether Flick’s plan can stand up to the pressure and whether Barça’s identity can endure the storm without its usual pillars.

Punchline time: If this midfield crisis keeps spiraling, Barca might finally discover the best-kept secret of football—the art of turning a bench into a weapon. And if depth remains thin, maybe they’ll invent a new position: the “professional warm-up coach” who specializes in stretching the margins of possibility. Punchline two: At this rate, Barcelona’s scouting department will graduate to a masterclass in gamble-and-recover… because sometimes you win by not losing the bet on fitness!