The goalkeeping situation at FC Barcelona has been one of the most discussed topics in recent months. With Ter Stegen's injury, the club had to make urgent decisions and modify its planning.
Iñaki Peña started the season with the hope of establishing himself as the starter. However, the situation has taken an unexpected turn. Now, neither he nor Szczęsny seem to be in Hansi Flick's plans for next season.
The unexpected signing of Szczęsny
Ter Stegen's injury left Barça in a complicated situation. With Iñaki Peña as the only option, the management had to look for an emergency reinforcement.
The regulations only allowed signing players without a team, which limited the options. That's when Wojciech Szczęsny appeared, after having just announced his retirement after his stint at Juventus.
Hansi Flick contacted him personally and managed to convince him to return to action. His contract was clear: help Barça until the end of the season. At that time, it seemed like a secondary signing, as Peña still had the coach's trust, but things changed quickly.
Neither Szczęsny nor Peña: Barça has another plan
Everything went wrong for the youth player after the Spanish Super Cup, Iñaki Peña arrived late to three training sessions and Flick decided to remove him from the starting position. Szczęsny took the spot and hasn't let it go. The Pole played the semifinals and the final of the Super Cup against Real Madrid, earning the coaching staff's support.
Since then, the rotation in the goal has been constant. However, in key matches, Flick's choice has been clear: Szczęsny. This situation has left Peña in a secondary role, which the Alicante native hasn't taken well. His discontent has grown and so has his uncertainty about the future.
Barça doesn't count on either of them for next season, Szczęsny only signed until June and won't continue at the club. Meanwhile, Peña has been relegated and could seek an exit in the summer. In this situation, Hansi Flick and the sports management have decided to bet on a new name for the goal.
The chosen one for the future
The big beneficiary of this situation will be Diego Kochen. At 18 years old, the young reserve goalkeeper has caught attention for his great performance. The American goalkeeper has been one of the biggest surprises of Barça Atlètic this season. His progression has been impressive and he has already been drafted by the United States national team.
Kochen has shown confidence between the posts, with feline reflexes and a great ability to play with his feet. His style fits perfectly with the club's philosophy. For months, the management has been closely following his evolution. Now, with Szczęsny's departure and Peña's possible farewell, his opportunity has come sooner than expected.
If everything goes as planned, Kochen will be the second goalkeeper of the first team next season. Ter Stegen will remain the starter, but the young youth player will have the opportunity to grow and earn his place.
A change of cycle in the blaugrana goal
Barça has decided to look to the future. The bet on Diego Kochen confirms that the club continues to trust La Masia as its main source of talent.
With Ter Stegen still recovering, the American will have minutes in the preseason to prove his level. If he meets expectations, he could become the goalkeeper of the future for Barça.
Meanwhile, Iñaki Peña will have to decide whether to fight for a spot or seek an exit. Meanwhile, Szczęsny will say farewell in June, ending his brief stint at the club. The change in the goal is imminent and Diego Kochen is ready to make the leap.