Barcelona’s manager Hansi Flick has confirmed the squad traveling to England for a one-week pre-season camp, which will include two friendlies against Birmingham City and Preston North End.
Captain Marc-André ter Stegen, who is not part of the manager’s future plans and whose loan move to Ajax has been delayed, is still traveling with the squad to continue training with the first team. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong is also part of the group despite recovering from a serious knee injury he sustained at the World Cup. He is expected to be sidelined for four to five months but will work on his recovery during the camp.
Additionally, Fermin Lopez and Ronald Araujo, both recovering from injuries, are included in the traveling party. With many senior players absent due to World Cup duties, Flick has given opportunities to several La Masia youth players. Goalkeepers Aron Yaakobishvili and Iker Rodriguez, midfielders Alvaro Cortes, Xavi Espart, Hector Fort, Jofre Torrents, and Jordi Pesquer, along with attackers Hamza Abdelkarim, Oscar Gistau, Tony Fernandez, Alex Gonzalez, and Ebrima Tunkara, make up this youthful contingent. New signing Karim Adeyemi is also present.
Raphinha is currently on holiday but will join the squad in England. This squad composition highlights the balance between integrating young talents and managing the recovery of key senior players as Barcelona prepares for the new season.
