Three takeaways from Euro 2024 that Barcelona must factor into their summer plans | OneFootball

With Spain outright claiming their crown as European Champions, an incredible summer of exciting and fervorous international football came to an end earlier this month.

It means that the focus now shifts back to club football, and especially Barcelona where pre-season preparations are already in full swing under the watchful eye of new head coach Hansi Flick.

However, while Euro 2024 may have been a nice little break away from the spotlight for the club, it served plenty of food for thought for Barcelona moving forward in the new era.

Here are three lessons that Barcelona and Hansi Flick could take away from the tournament in Germany and take into account as they plan their squad for the new season.

Lamine Yamal can be the centrepiece of the next great Barcelona side

It’s no secret that La Masia have lent a helping hand to the club in these times of instability both on and off the pitch. Perhaps it is the emergence of Lamine Yamal is arguably the greatest product Barcelona’s academy has offered.

Simply put, Yamal could be the next big thing in football. After an incredible breakout season with Barcelona on club level, the wonderkid backed up the hype around him with a sensational outing in the Euros for Spain.

The present and the future. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Keeping his incredible numbers aside, it quickly became evident that Yamal was the unstoppable force that made the champions click whilst going forward.

Crucial assists against Germany in the quarter-final and England in the final highlighted his growing stature in the swashbuckling Spanish side that brought the trophy home, earning him the title of Young Player of the Tournament.

Nobody can also forget the outrageous goal against France in the Semi-Final, rescuing his country with their backs against the wall. All while he was merely 16.

If there’s one thing you can say about Yamal, it’s that in a big game and on the biggest of stages he doesn’t hide.

With his undeniable talent and impact on whichever team he plays for, Yamal has the potential to lead his club and become the fulcrum of a winning Barcelona team.

His confidence and hunger are almost contagious and for those reasons, he could very well be the flag-bearer of a young and bold Barcelona especially under the tutelage of Hansi Flick, who seems to have already taken keen interest in his development.

The best part? He’s still only 17 and just getting started.

Barcelona need to sign Nico Williams

A partnership that could be deadly. (Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)

While the spotlight may have been on Lamine Yamal this Euro, Spanish glory wouldn’t have become a reality without the contributions of his partner-in-crime on the opposite flank, Nico Williams.

In a similar vein to Yamal, Nico set the continent on fire with his electrifying pace and dizzying dribbling, providing La Roja with the most potent attacking forces on the wings.

It’s no surprise then that his incredible run in the tournament put a lot of clubs on alert, one of them being Barcelona, who are determined to acquire his signature.

It’s well-known that Flick prefers to play with quality wingers capable of generating threat and churning out opportunities out of nothing. With the club blessed with the magic of Yamal on the right, the potential arrival of Williams could very well set Barcelona’s flanks for years to come.

It’s a transfer that could revolutionise Barcelona and their style of play. Not to mention, replicating the deadly partnership between Yamal and Nico that was on full display and decided games at will in the Euros would equip Barcelona with a genuine attacking dynamic at par with the best in Europe.

Whisper it quietly but Nico’s signing could be a statement of intent and a response to Real Madrid’s acquisition of Kylian Mbappe.

Still only 22 with his best years ahead of him and a €58 million release clause waiting to be cashed in, it’s a market opportunity Barcelona simply can’t afford to miss.

Barcelona have a right-back in Jules Kounde

Kounde shone as a right-back. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)

Spain may have dumped France out in the semi-final of the Euros thanks to a Lamine Yamal special but it shouldn’t take anything away from the impressive run that Jules Kounde had for Les Bleus, that too at right back.

It’s no secret that Kounde didn’t see himself as the team’s right-back for a large part of his time at Barcelona.

However, in the months leading up to Xavi’s eventual departure, the 25-year-old swallowed the pill and put in marvellous performances on the right side of defence which earned him a call-up to the French squad for the continental showdown.

It’s fair to say, he delivered, carrying over his incredible run of form into the Euros, proving to be a literal wall against some of the best wingers in the game. Jeremy Doku, Rafael Leao, and even Nico Williams all huffed and puffed but couldn’t dribble around the imperious Kounde.

This rich vein of form that Kounde showcased at right-back for club and country suggests Barcelona might have a quality player on their hands for that position, one that has cried out for a solid long-term option for years.

It’s understandable that there may be doubts about his offensive abilities as a right-back, considering how high Flick likes his full-backs to be in the offensive process.

However, Kounde, like all those who looked to get the better of him, has an answer for them too, having been the player with the most chances created for France at the Euros.

A complete and defensively sound right-back in Kounde with Julian Araujo and Hector Fort as able deputies to fill in if needed, Barcelona seem to have an impressive depth on the right side of defence.