Barça's offices are already working on planning for next season. With Hansi Flick in charge and Deco leading the sporting direction, decisions are being made cautiously, prioritizing real needs over nearly impossible wishes. The goalkeeper position and the left winger have become the two key positions to strengthen, while other areas of the field, such as right back, won't undergo major changes.
In that regard, Jules Koundé's continuity as the starting right back is assured. His performance has convinced the coaching staff and his physical reliability allows him to accumulate many minutes without dropping his level. For this reason, the club has ruled out signing another right back, opting for internal solutions to cover possible rotations or rest periods.
Defined replacement for Koundé
The big news is that Barça has already defined who will be the replacement for the French defender, and that's Eric García. Although his natural position is center back, he has shown good adaptation to right back when required, and Flick sees him as a useful piece for that role. Intelligent, organized, and with good ball distribution, Eric provides what's needed to cover that flank without major issues.
In that regard, Deco has informed the German coach that there won't be signings in that area. With financial resources focused on strengthening the attack and the goalkeeper position, Barça trust Eric's versatility to complete the defensive rotation. This way, the squad is optimized without needing to spend millions on a player who, from the start, would have a secondary role.
Trust in the defender
The bet on Eric also responds to a criterion of stability in the squad. Flick has made it clear that he prefers a smaller but functional squad, with players capable of taking on several roles when necessary. This philosophy fits perfectly with Eric García's profile, who also has the support of the locker room and the coaches who've followed his remarkable development.
Meanwhile, Koundé will remain the owner of the right back position. He has left behind the doubts caused by his placement on that flank and has been one of the most solid defenders of the season. His continuity is a fact, and with a trusted replacement like Eric, the defensive line is well covered.