Marcus Rashford's arrival at FC Barcelona has caused enormous expectations. The English forward landed at Camp Nou as one of the most outstanding signings of the summer, a top-level reinforcement to strengthen Hansi Flick's attack. His experience at the European elite and his ability to make a difference in important scenarios make him a highly valuable piece for the first team's squad at Barça.
However, like every major signing, he also comes with a challenge: adapting and responding to the demands of a club that leaves no room for relaxation. Barça is at a key moment in its rebuilding process. With talents who have already stepped up, such as Lamine Yamal or Fermín López, and with established leaders like Raphinha or Pedri, internal competition will be fierce.
Rashford arrives with the star label. However, he does so in a team where the level of demand is so high that only consistency and commitment make the difference between succeeding or being left in the background.
They don't want another "Joao Félix" case
The first warnings in the locker room have emerged in the form of comparison. Some fear that Rashford could follow Joao Félix's path, a footballer who arrived with great expectations but never managed to fully settle. The Portuguese left glimpses of quality, but his inconsistency and lack of continuity ultimately tarnished his time at the club.
The lesson is fresh: at Barça, talent alone isn't enough; consistency is needed in every match and every training session. Rashford has a track record that inspires trust, with brilliant seasons at Manchester United where he was one of the most unbalancing forwards in the Premier League. However, he also carries the label of an inconsistent player, capable of going from spectacular weeks to periods of low performance.
That's why, at Barça, alarms have already gone off and he'll be required to deliver from the start to avoid repeating recent mistakes.
Flick's demands, the locker room's judgment
The German coach has been clear since his arrival: he wants a united, intense, and committed team on both sides of the field. In press conferences, he has reiterated that there's no room for disconnection or individualism. Rashford, therefore, will have to adapt to a style where shining in attack alone isn't enough.
Meanwhile, the locker room is closely following his first steps. No one doubts his talent, but patience will be limited if he doesn't meet expectations. With Raphinha in great form, Ferran Torres highly motivated, and Lamine Yamal established as a key figure, competition will be fierce.
The Englishman will have to show that he's ready for the challenge and that he can become an attacking leader instead of being an intermittent player.