At Barça, there has been a very clear feeling for weeks now: signing Joan García will be a real plus. The young goalkeeper, who arrived from Espanyol just a few weeks ago, has already started to leave his mark in preseason training.
At just 24 years old, Joan García arrives to take on the starting role and provide security between the posts. In such a delicate position, the arrival of a reliable goalkeeper is seen as one of the keys to keeping the team's solidity.
Ter Stegen, in the spotlight for his performance
The decision to go for Joan García is not a coincidence. At Barça, there were already doubts about Marc-André ter Stegen's performance in recent seasons. Although the German has been one of the team's pillars for years, his performance in recent times has sparked debate.
Since the start of training, Joan García has shown that he is up to Barça's demands. His performance in the first sessions has even been better than expected, which reinforces the idea that he can be the goalkeeper.
Marc Bernal, the big surprise of the preseason
However, although Joan García has been one of the standout names in these first days, he has not been the most surprising. That honor belongs to Marc Bernal. The young midfielder is becoming one of the sensations of the first days.
Bernal, who suffered an injury at the start of last season, has come back stronger than ever. During his recovery process, he worked intensely to improve his physique, and the change is more than evident. Now, in his return, he looks more powerful, faster, and has a greater presence on the field.
An unexpected "signing" for Flick
Marc Bernal's improvement has been so remarkable that in the locker room, they already consider him "the big signing" for this season. Flick, who has always shown sensitivity with young players, is watching him very closely and could give him plenty of minutes if he keeps this level.
What seemed like a preseason for Bernal to adapt could turn into a real opportunity to be a starter. With his talent and renewed physique, the young academy player is set to be one of the big stories for Barça this new season. If he keeps this up, his name will stop being a surprise and become a reality.