Barcelona’s loss to Las Palmas at MontjuĂŻc served as a significant warning for the team. The surprising 1-2 defeat to a relegation-threatened side marked their third consecutive La Liga setback, leaving them with just one point from the last nine available. This loss also highlighted serious problems with the performance of key players.
Coach Hansi Flick did not hide his frustration after the match, expressing his anger at the press conference and emphasizing the need for improvement, particularly in defense. Sources close to the club reveal that Flick has already informed club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco about the urgent need to strengthen the team in the upcoming winter transfer window.
According to Spanish newspaper “El Nacional,” one of Flick’s primary goals is to find a replacement for French defender Jules KoundĂ©. While KoundĂ© had a strong start to the season, contributing both defensively and offensively, his form has dropped in recent games, with concentration lapses and unnecessary ball losses causing problems for the team in key moments.
Flick believes Koundé needs a boost in morale, particularly through healthy competition for his position. The German coach thinks that having a strong contender for his spot will motivate Koundé and may even lead to him being benched for some matches until he regains his form.
In this context, Flick emphasized the importance of signing a reliable right-back. He believes that strengthening this position will not only enhance the team’s competitiveness but also give KoundĂ© a chance to regain confidence without the pressure of being a guaranteed starter.
One potential target Barcelona is considering is Dutch full-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen. Frimpong has emerged as one of the Bundesliga’s standout talents, known for his speed, defensive solidity, and attacking contributions, all qualities that align with Flick’s needs.
Barcelonaâs ongoing La Liga crisis has put the team in a precarious position, with the risk of losing their top spot in the standings. While the season is still long, Flick understands that further mistakes will jeopardize their title challenge.
With the January transfer window approaching, the responsibility now lies with Laporta and Deco. Hiring Flick was a major step, but the coach requires reinforcements to maximize the potential of a team that, despite its technical ability, still has weaknesses at crucial moments.
