Hansi Flick faces selection headache as Barcelona bench stars shine on Asia tour | OneFootball

Competition is admired at FC Barcelona, and it is something that pushes the team. For Hansi Flick, it is a valuable asset that could make the squad perform better as well. So far during the preseason tour, this Barcelona squad is proving that to be true.

While it seems clear enough that Flick has a few starters in mind already, with the likes of Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Raphinha, and others starting the game against FC Seoul, there are some hungry bench options as well. Players that might not be starters right now, but have the quality to challenge Flick’s decisions moving forward.

Barcelona bench players continue to thrive under Hansi Flick

Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images

Such players have recently been highlighted by SPORT, and they are lighting up the preseason tour for the club in Asia. The likes of Gavi, Marcus Rashford, Andreas Christensen, Roony Bardghji, Marc Casado, Gerard Martin, Ferran Torres, and even Jofre Torrents are all included in this special group of players.

Gavi, for instance, had no issues taking on the captain’s armband and delivering a top performance against FC Seoul. With a brilliant goal and other moments of magic, it was clear to see the Spaniard’s quality and motivation on display.

Similarly, Marc Casado offers a profile that can provide intensity and also offers his full commitment, just like Gavi. Despite being seen as backup options, their hunger was on full display against FC Seoul when Flick decided to bring them on for the second half.

Even at the left-back position, Jofre Torrents has emerged as a new option that could challenge Alejandro Balde’s consistency throughout the season. At the same time, Gerard Martin also showcased his versatility while operating as a centre-back in the recent fixture.

Another player who continues to prove his worth in defense is Andreas Christensen. Despite being linked to a summer exit, the Danish defender remains committed to Barcelona and showed up with an impressive display in the most recent preseason game.

As for the team’s attacking options, the likes of Ferran Torres, Marcus Rashford, and Roony Bardghji will certainly make things interesting. Bardghji has already reportedly impressed the club, and Torres continues to be a challenger to Robert Lewandowski’s starting spot at the club.

With so many options to consider, Hansi Flick welcomes this competition and hunger. As the season progresses, this quality depth will prove to be crucial for the team, and it is definitely something that has been worked on and has improved from last season.