After the bitter defeat against Leganes… Hansi Flick urgently requests Barcelona management to sign a world star as soon as possible

Following Barcelona’s defeat to Leganés, it became evident to the club’s board that reinforcements were urgently needed. According to the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, Hansi Flick has made it clear that the priority in the upcoming winter transfer window will be to acquire a left-back who can challenge Alejandro Balde. Balde’s recent performances have faced considerable criticism.

The lack of competition for this role not only hinders the development of the young academy product but also impacts coach Hansi Flick’s tactical decisions, as he has no reliable alternatives for the left wing.

This issue became even more obvious after the humiliating defeat to Leganés at Montjuïc, which revealed several defensive weaknesses in Barcelona’s setup. While Balde had been a regular starter, his performance in that match was disappointing, marked by a lack of confidence and costly mistakes at key moments.

One of the players under consideration by Deco is Álvaro Carreras, the young left-back from Benfica. Carreras has enjoyed an impressive season in the Portuguese league, quickly becoming one of the most sought-after full-backs in the market. The Spaniard possesses qualities that align perfectly with Barcelona’s needs: speed, offensive contribution, and, most importantly, solid defensive skills that could help address the issues seen in Balde’s recent form.

However, securing Carreras will not be easy. Benfica is reluctant to let go of one of their key players mid-season, so any move would require a substantial financial outlay from Barcelona. Nevertheless, club president Joan Laporta is committed to supporting the effort, understanding that strengthening the left-back position is crucial for the team’s ambitions in both domestic and European competitions.

For his part, Hansi Flick has expressed his concerns to the sporting directors regarding the lack of defensive options. The German coach believes that adding more depth to this position is essential for improving the team’s defensive stability. In fact, signing a new left-back could offer Flick more tactical flexibility.