"Stegen's authority under scrutiny in Barcelona football circle"
Marc-André ter Stegen, the key personality and captain of FC Barcelona's locker room, is currently facing a tense relationship with the club. Ter Stegen has been out of action due to a back injury that will keep him sidelined for around three months [1].
The injury has complicated Barcelona’s plans as they need Ter Stegen's signature on paperwork to activate the injury rule and register new players [4]. Despite being sidelined, Ter Stegen has been training alone and not with the team as Barcelona prepares for its preseason tour [2].
Ter Stegen's contract with FC Barcelona extends until 2028, but his future at the club is uncertain. The club has reportedly invited him to leave this summer but has not received meaningful offers [1]. Ter Stegen, on the other hand, has expressed a desire to stay at least until January [2][3].
The club has signed Espanyol’s goalkeeper Joan García for €25 million as a possible replacement for Ter Stegen, indicating that Barcelona is preparing for a future without him [1][2]. This situation has escalated from mutual respect to a public fallout, suggesting that Barcelona is looking beyond Ter Stegen despite his longstanding role in the squad [1].
Frenkie de Jong, as the third captain of FC Barcelona, recently spoke with Ter Stegen about his situation. De Jong considers Ter Stegen as the captain of their team and hopes for a quick recovery for him [1].
Julian Nagelsmann, the coach of the German national team, has secured Ter Stegen's status in the national team. Nagelsmann expects Ter Stegen to play two games for FC Barcelona in March and June, and believes he will participate in the World Cup if he meets the club game requirements [5].
Nagelsmann has also publicly expressed his support for Ter Stegen at FC Barcelona [6]. De Jong has also publicly expressed his support for Ter Stegen, stating that he is an important player for the team [7].
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Ter Stegen's future at FC Barcelona, it is clear that he remains a key figure for the team and the national team. The club and Ter Stegen will need to find a resolution to ensure that he can continue to contribute to the team's success in the future.
References
- Barcelona's financial problems delaying Joan García's ability to play for FC Barcelona
- Barcelona sign Espanyol's goalkeeper Joan García for €25 million as possible replacement for Ter Stegen
- Ter Stegen hopes for a quick recovery and wants to stay at FC Barcelona until January
- FC Barcelona could use 80 percent of Ter Stegen's salary to register new players if he is out for at least four months
- Nagelsmann expects ter Stegen to play two games in March and June for FC Barcelona
- Nagelsmann believes ter Stegen will participate in the World Cup if he meets the club game requirements
- Frenkie de Jong publicly expressed support for Marc-André ter Stegen at FC Barcelona
Despite his current injury and uncertain future at FC Barcelona, Marc-André ter Stegen's importance to the team is evident, as he remains a key figure for both FC Barcelona and the German national team. Barcelona continues to prepare for a potential future without him, as seen by the signing of Espanyol's goalkeeper Joan García, but Ter Stegen's roles in Laliga and European-leagues still warrant a resolution that ensures his continued contributions to the team's success.
