Ferran Torres finished last season as one of the positive notes for FC Barcelona. After a very inconsistent start, he managed to take advantage of his opportunities and ended up establishing himself in the final stretch thanks to his strong performance and Robert Lewandowski's injury. With 19 goals last season, he achieved his best record since arriving at Camp Nou, which helped change the perception of his role in the team.
The player, who had been on the transfer list the previous summer, ultimately stayed after Barça didn't receive offers exceeding 20 million euros. His continuity allowed Flick to have a reliable alternative in attack, while Ferran reaffirmed his desire to stay, convinced that he could keep getting minutes and helping the team. However, the context of this new season presents a scenario different from the desired one.
A reinforcement that changes the outlook
The arrival of a new forward at Barça has altered the roadmap for Ferran Torres. Although he was initially told that he would remain the main alternative, the signing of Marcus Rashford has changed the distribution of minutes in the attacking line. This means that the role of impact substitute, which he performed so well last season, could be reduced in favor of the English striker.
Hansi Flick himself has hinted at his preferences in some training sessions and friendly matches, in which Marcus Rashford has occupied key positions in the offensive front. Although Ferran Torres keeps his commitment and professionalism, the reality is that this direct competition will require him to double his efforts to stay in the rotation and not lose prominence.
First warning: the Joan Gamper Trophy
One of the clearest examples of this change in hierarchy occurred in the Joan Gamper Trophy. In the match against Como, led by Cesc Fàbregas, Robert Lewandowski was unavailable and Rashford was chosen to replace him. Ferran Torres started on the bench and only came on in the final stretch, which reinforces the idea that he could be used more on the wing than as a center forward.
This situation doesn't mean Ferran won't have opportunities, but it does mean that he will have to adapt to a different role than he imagined at the start of the summer. With a long season and several open fronts, his ability to adapt and his performance in the minutes he gets will be key to determining his importance within the squad.