Barcelona are in South Korea preparing for the new La Liga season. Coach Hansi Flick spoke to the press there.
Barcelona’s pre-season tour in South Korea is not just about physical preparation and tactical fine-tuning it’s also an important moment of transition, reflection, and decision-making for the club.
With Hansi Flick now at the helm, the Catalan giants are entering a new chapter, and naturally, many questions are being directed at the German manager, who met with the press this week in Seoul.
One of the key topics raised was the captaincy. Since the departure of long-serving club figure Sergi Roberto earlier this summer, Barcelona has been without a confirmed full-time captain. The armband had provisionally passed to goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, one of the most senior players in the squad and a respected figure in the dressing room. However, the German goalkeeper has been sidelined with a serious back injury, one that is expected to keep him out for several months leaving a temporary leadership void on the pitch.
Flick addressed the situation calmly, making it clear that he will not impose a decision from above. "The team always decides on the captains, just like in the past," he said, reflecting a long-standing tradition at the club where the dressing room votes to choose its leaders. "Usually, this happens about two weeks before the start of the season." That timeline suggests the new captain or possibly multiple captains will be named shortly before Barcelona’s opening La Liga fixture. With other experienced figures in the squad like Frenkie de Jong, Ronald Araújo, and Ilkay Gündoğan, there is no shortage of candidates for leadership roles.
Speaking of Araújo, the Uruguayan centre-back has been the subject of persistent transfer speculation this summer. Multiple clubs, including Bayern Munich and Manchester United, have reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the defender, who is known for his physical presence, aerial strength, and tactical intelligence. However, Flick was quick to dismiss any suggestion that Araújo was preparing to leave. "Why would he leave?" he said, almost rhetorically. "There are a lot of rumors about many names, but I have no news or any indication that he wants to go."
Flick went on to praise the depth and quality of the squad at his disposal, noting that Barcelona have managed to reinforce key areas across the pitch. "I have a great team, with a lot of quality," he said. "We’ve doubled up in most positions and on some, we even have three players competing. Of course, that’s not always easy to manage, especially when everyone wants minutes, but it gives us options. I’m happy with what I have." His comments suggest a clear intention to rotate players throughout the long season ahead, especially with commitments in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and European competition.
One of the most intriguing additions to the squad is Marcus Rashford. The English forward has joined Barcelona on a season-long loan from Manchester United a move that surprised many observers but could prove to be a masterstroke. Rashford, who endured a mixed campaign in England last season, is looking to rediscover his best form in a new environment. Flick revealed that he has long admired the 26-year-old. "Marcus is a fantastic player," he said. "I’ve been following him for years, since he started his career at Manchester United. He has a lot of quality and can play across the front line. We hope he can show that with the team this season."
The loan deal for Rashford reflects a broader trend in Barcelona’s transfer strategy looking for high-impact players who are available on creative terms, rather than making major financial outlays. The club remains under pressure to meet financial fair play requirements and is being cautious about long-term contracts and high transfer fees.
Flick, meanwhile, is using the pre-season tour to implement his tactical ideas and assess player readiness. Barcelona’s first friendly on the tour takes place this Thursday against FC Seoul, a fixture that is expected to attract a large local crowd and provide Flick with his first opportunity to test combinations and evaluate fitness levels. The team will then play another match on Monday against Daegu FC, giving players additional minutes to impress ahead of the competitive calendar.
On August 10, the club will play its traditional curtain-raiser the Trofeu Joan Gamper against Italian side Como. That match, held at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona, will serve as the symbolic launch of the new era under Flick. It will also be the first opportunity for fans back home to see the new-look team in action, including potential debuts for Rashford and other summer additions.
As the season approaches, optimism is cautiously building among fans. Hansi Flick, who brings a wealth of experience from his time with Bayern Munich and the German national team, has already begun to instill a sense of discipline, order, and clarity in the squad. His ability to adapt quickly to a club of Barcelona’s magnitude will be key to their success, and early signs suggest he is building solid relationships within the group.
For now, the focus remains on conditioning, chemistry, and cohesion. But with difficult decisions looming such as naming the captain, finalizing the starting eleven, and managing a packed fixture list the pressure will only grow. Flick seems ready for the challenge. And so, too, must be Barcelona.
