The Nico Williams chapter still hurts in Camp Nou's offices. The club believed it had secured him this summer, and the fans dreamed of seeing him wearing the blaugrana jersey. However, the winger decided to renew his contract with Athletic and definitively closed the door to Barça.
That setback forced Hansi Flick to reshape his plans for the attacking front. The German coach is aware that, in order to compete on all fronts, he needs speed and dribbling on the wings. That's why he has started to look within the club to find solutions.
In this context, the name of Dani Rodríguez has emerged, one of the most promising talents from La Masia. At just 18 years old, he has already shown flashes of his enormous quality in the first team. His debut last season made a great impression on both the coaching staff and the fans.
The problem was that an untimely injury abruptly halted his progress. Just when it seemed he could have continuity, he had to stop and begin a long recovery process. Even so, Flick hasn't taken his eyes off the young winger.
The coach believes that Dani Rodríguez has characteristics that fit perfectly with his play style. Speed, dribbling, and the ability to make decisions in the final third are qualities he especially values. Some at the club even believe that his ceiling is higher than Nico Williams's.
Unlike the Athletic player, Dani Rodríguez combines his one-on-one ability with remarkable vision. He can assist with precision and read his teammates' movements, something that fits perfectly with Barça's DNA. His mid-range shot is another of his weapons.
The club has already secured his continuity until 2027 with a quiet but strategic contract renewal. The operation didn't make headlines, but it was a statement of intent about what they expect from him. Meanwhile, Flick has asked the medical staff to closely monitor every phase of his recovery.
The goal is that, once he overcomes his discomfort, he can join group training without rushing. The priority is to avoid relapses that could hinder his progress at a key moment. Patience will be the key for Dani Rodríguez to return at one hundred percent.
Flick's plan for his integration
Sources close to the locker room confirm that Flick has designed a specific schedule for the young winger. The idea is for him to start participating in full training sessions in the coming weeks. From there, they will look for matches where he can get minutes without taking excessive risks.
The coach's trust is absolute. He believes that, with time and proper work, Dani Rodríguez can become a difference-maker. It's not just about covering the absence of a failed signing, but about betting on homegrown talent.
The locker room has also welcomed the possibility of having the academy graduate back with excitement. Some teammates highlight his competitive character and his ability to quickly adapt to the demands of the first team.
A clear message from the bench
Flick has been very direct in his conversations with the coaching staff: "All that's needed is to take care of him physically." For the German, that's the only requirement separating Dani Rodríguez from making a definitive leap in quality. He is convinced that, when that happens, he will even surpass Nico Williams.
In a summer marked by major signings and important departures, this commitment to the academy sends a powerful message. Barça not only looks to the market, but also protects and develops its young talents.
The next challenge will be to see how Dani Rodríguez reacts when he puts on the first team jersey again. If he meets expectations, he could become one of the most exciting stories of the season.