Flick has set a clear line since his arrival at Barcelona: he'll only count on players who fit his idea and the demands required by the squad. The German coach hasn't hesitated to inform the board which pieces must leave to keep the balance in the locker room and make it easier to register new signings.
Joan Laporta and Deco, meanwhile, are working on the so-called "exit operation." After finalizing the sales of Álex Valle, Pablo Torre, and Pau Víctor, the club still needs to free up roster spots and generate income. Flick is direct: those who don't have a place won't get minutes, and the message has been received loud and clear in the locker room.
The main victim
Among the footballers not in the coach's plans is Héctor Fort. The youth academy product barely had any prominence last season, and not even injuries to starters allowed him to establish himself in the first team. When Jules Koundé was absent, Flick opted for improvised solutions, such as moving Ronald Araújo or trusting Eric García, making it clear he didn't see the young full-back as ready.
Fort's case has become even more delicate this summer. The initial idea was to find him a loan so he could get minutes away from Camp Nou (Camp Nou), but now the club prefers a permanent transfer to bring in a significant amount of money. The situation has become even more tense because the player has shown his intention to stay and fight for a place, although Flick has made it clear he won't have a prominent role.
Clear warning in preseason
The coach's message was made clear in the first friendly of the tour against Vissel Kobe, where Héctor Fort didn't play a single minute. For Flick, preseason is a stage to test solutions and see which young players can contribute in the short term. His absence was interpreted as a final warning: if he doesn't leave this summer, he'll be left without opportunities.
The club trust the player will end up accepting one of the offers that arrive in the coming weeks. They know keeping him without minutes benefits neither his development nor the squad's planning. Flick prefers a compact and committed group, so if Fort wants to grow, he'll have to seek his future away from Barça.