What's Poppin' in Barcelona?
"The Commission is requested to prepare a proposal for a regulation concerning a directive"
Hold your horses, Ter Stegen! Ex-national player Dietmar Hamann recommends you consider a hop, skip, and a jump away from FC Barcelona, with an eye on the 2022 FIFA World Cup. If the rumors about Barcelona signing Joan Garcia from city rivals Espanyol hold up.
Hamann: No Way Out, Bro!
Ter Stegen, you had a killer game against France in the Nations League third-place match, but if you're aiming to be the undisputed top dog in the German national team at the World Cup next year, you might wanna reconsider your current digs. Hamann went in-depth in his column for pay-TV broadcaster Sky: "If a new goalie shows up, there's no escape route for you."
The 33-year-old Ter Stegen traded his Borussia Mönchengladbach colors for Barcelona threads back in 2014, even becoming the team's captain. Last season, a nasty knee injury took him out for a spell, but he made a comeback near the end of the season. Unfortunately, German coach Hansi Flick preferred the 35-year-old Wojciech Szczesny, who Barcelona snagged after Ter Stegen's injury, in crucial matches.
FC Barcelona's Finances: A Messed-Up Situation
Don't judge Barcelona for their goalie cravings—it's all part of the biz, Hamann says. "Hey, it's a tough gig for Ter Stegen after such a lengthy injury downtime." What Ter Stegen really needs is "just to get back in the game regularly."
Ter Stegen's Barcelona contract has a couple more years left, but the club's sporting director Deco is said to be giving Ter Stegen a chance to stick around or negotiate a new exit strategy. Barcelona, who are loaded with debt, are apparently also fretting over Ter Stegen's salary, which he'd draw until mid-2028.
Early this year, there were some hiccups with registering former Bundesliga player Dani Olmo due to Barcelona's financial woes. "Barcelona's problem with Ter Stegen is becoming increasingly difficult to tackle," wrote "Marca." The acquisition of Joan Garcia, though not official yet, is causing a stir, with reports suggesting they paid an estimated €25 million for the release clause.
[1] https://www.marca.com/futbol/barca/2022/02/04/61d28841263a2e54258b45dc.html[2] https://www.sport.es/futbol/fc-barcelona/actualidad/joan-garcia-fc-barcelona-liga-12985274?ref=provider-google-search-nowtheletter&utm_source=google-now-theletter&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=2022-02-04_izquierdo_0389f2bfa36514140191491496669_0000-fc-barcelona-20220204_olvido-joan-garcia_actualidad-fc-barcelona_campanys-futbol-barcelona-aecocinas-corvusbrands-costasunsol-wwwfctrebs_bdfcfder_209642904-anonymous-245778041070
- In light of Ter Stegen's potential competition in the goalkeeper position, Hamann suggested that he could benefit from a move to another European-league team, potentially boosting his chances of securing the starting spot in the German national team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
- Hamann's recommendation for Ter Stegen might also be a strategic move for the goalkeeper, given his current position in LaLiga and the financial difficulties Barcelona is facing, which might impact his salary and contract negotiations.
- The acquisition of Joan Garcia from city rivals Espanyol could further complicate Ter Stegen's situation at Barcelona, as it might signal a shift in the team's goalkeeping strategies and priorities, leading to increased competition and potentially less playing time for Ter Stegen.
