Barcelona has been facing challenges this season, with key player injuries and the addition of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to provide depth. Despite not yet making an appearance, Szczesny’s commitment in training has impressed both director Deco and coach Hansi Flick, leading the club to consider extending his contract. Meanwhile, Barcelona player Marc-Andre Ter Stegen continues his recovery from a long-term injury, and though his return is still some time away, the team remains optimistic about his eventual comeback.
Barcelona Player Confesses He Is Playing While Injured
Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong opened up this weekend about the ongoing challenges he faces when playing on the field.
Midfielder De Jong has recently returned from an extended period on the sidelines.
Due to an ankle injury sustained in April, the 27-year-old was unable to participate in the European Championships, as well as missing pre-season and the initial weeks of Barcelona’s new campaign.
Following a lengthy recovery that took several months longer than anticipated, De Jong made his return early last month in a Champions League match against Young Boys.
This was followed by his much-anticipated return to international duty on Saturday when the former Ajax player started in the Netherlands’ dominant Nations League victory over Hungary.
However, based on De Jong’s recent comments, it seems he still has some way to go before fully regaining his fitness.
In an interview following last night’s match in Amsterdam, the midfielder shared:
“I still have pain while playing. I need to gain back my confidence in doing certain things on the pitch. I am not saying it’s a risk, but the feeling is still not as it was. It should improve from now onwards.”
Barcelona Plans to Offer New Goalkeeper Contract Extension
Under Hansi Flick’s leadership, FC Barcelona has been soaring this season. The German coach has instilled a new identity in the team, one that the players have embraced with enthusiasm. However, the season hasn’t been without its challenges for Barcelona.
Injuries have been a persistent concern, affecting key players at various points. Fortunately for Barcelona, some of these players are close to making a comeback and could return to action soon, depending on their recovery progress.
One player whose return appears to be a bit further off is Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. After his long-term injury, the Barcelona captain and first-choice goalkeeper was forced to sit out and is still working on the fastest route to recovery.
To cover for him and add depth to the goalkeeper position, Barcelona signed Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny at the start of the season. Although Szczesny has yet to make an appearance, largely due to Inaki Peña’s strong performances, the club is already considering his future with the team.
As reported by MARCA, Barcelona director Deco and coach Hansi Flick have already taken note of Wojciech Szczesny’s character and how he’s managing his current situation. So much so, that the club is reportedly considering extending his contract beyond this season.
By maintaining a mature attitude and continuing to put in consistent effort during training, Szczesny has shown he’s ready to step in whenever Hansi Flick calls on him. This commitment has given Barcelona no reason to question his dedication. In fact, as Deco has previously mentioned, the player’s attitude and work ethic are highly valued.
“Szczesny hasn’t played yet. What he first came here to provide was balance and competitiveness, and he is someone the locker room really likes. He arrived with a positive spirit, and that’s important for the locker room dynamics. We are happy with what he’s doing.”
When it comes to whether Szczesny will play, Deco has left that decision to the coach, depending on how he manages the competition between the Polish goalkeeper and the current Spanish starter.
“The decision to play will always be up to the coach, but I think the competitiveness within the squad is important. What we want with Szczesny is for him and Iñaki to compete for the starting role, working and respecting each other.”
It’s still uncertain when Szczesny will make his debut for Barcelona this season. Until then, any talk of his future beyond this season remains speculative. The decision will likely become clearer once he has the opportunity to play and demonstrate his true value.
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