"He's not a Barca player" - Barcelona boss Hansi Flick provides straightforward response when asked about 32-year-old star
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has provided a straightforward response to questions about the future of 32-year-old defender Sergi Roberto. The versatile Spaniard can be deputized at right-back or holding midfield and has spent his whole career with the Catalan club.
Roberto made 373 senior appearances for his boyhood club, scoring 19 goals and providing 43 assists. He has claimed La Liga seven times, the Copa del Rey six times, the UEFA Super Cup once, and the FIFA Club World Cup once with Los Cules.
However, his contract with the club expired last month and the new Blaugrana boss seems to have no interest in signing him back. He said via Fabrizio Romano:
“He’s NOT Barça player, as things stand.”
Meanwhile, Hansi Flick has reiterated his desire to return the club to the top of league standings, telling FotMob in another interview:
"LaLiga is an important competition and I think it's good to work hard before you speak about our big goal. This club, they always want to play for titles so this is why I am here, why we are always here. Give me some more weeks and I can answer you better.
"This is my job. I am a coach and I am the coach of Barcelona so I know what happens. The results are very important but I think at the end, we want to play well of course, but we also want to give everything on the pitch.
"When we are in the match, we have to be well-prepared and then the players have to show the hard work on the pitch - for me that is crucial."
The Catalan club were last crowned Champions of Spain in the 2022-23 season but failed to retain their title last season. The departure of the veteran midfielder will see much-needed space on the wage budget open up for future investment in the team.
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick impressed by Lamine Yamal
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has hailed Euro 2024 winner Lamine Yamal for his performances over the last year. The 17-year-old winger has been a pivotal player for club and country since he burst onto the scene last year. He is expected to have a bright future in the game.
The teenager made 50 appearances across competitions for the Spanish giants last season, scoring seven and assisting 10 at just 16. He then helped La Roja to the Euro 2024 victory in Germany with four assists and one goal in seven matches.
In a recent interview, Hansi Flick said about the youngster, via FotMob:
"He's done a really great job over the last year. He's improved a lot and step by step he is continuing at this level."
"What he did at the Euros was unbelievable, but now, big players also continue to bring their performances and it is necessary for him to stay with both legs on the ground."
The Barcelona boss concluded:
"He's a great guy, I got to speak with him when he arrived and he's now in this team and he can give us those great moments. But he can also improve and also he can make things better. This is our part but he is on a really fantastic path."
Barcelona ended the season without any major silverware after the last campaign. The six-time UEFA Champions League winners will be keen to make amends this time around under Hansi Flick.