The season progresses and Barça's goalkeeping position is one of the areas that has been generating the most buzz in recent weeks and where the most doubts exist right now. After Marc-André ter Stegen's injury at the start of the campaign a debate was established about who would take his place, with Iñaki Peña being the main candidate. However, with Wojciech Szczęsny's arrival at the Catalan club, the competition is more intense than ever.
Initially, it was expected that the Polish goalkeeper would be the starter considering his track record in the European elite, but Hansi Flick surprised everyone by betting on Iñaki Peña. When the latter began to show "weak" performance, Szczęsny took over the goal and established himself as the starting goalkeeper. However, while both continue to fight for the position, Deco doesn't stop fulfilling his role as sporting director and has already found the true starting goalkeeper for the coming years.
Change of plans
Initially, Deco and Laporta's idea was to keep Iñaki Peña as the starting goalkeeper and secure him, considering that he is free in 2026. And no one had planned to offer Szczęsny a renewal after betting on the former Villarreal and Galatasaray player. However, there has been a drastic change in the roadmap: Barça may let both go this summer and bet on another goalkeeper to take on the secondary role.
It is evident that Ter Stegen will regain his position as FC Barcelona's starting goalkeeper once he recovers from his physical problems. In that sense, the continuity of Iñaki Peña and Wojciech Szczęsny is uncertain. Even more so knowing that Deco already has the new replacement.
Arrival from La Masia
According to the latest information circulating around Barça, the favorite of the technical secretariat is Diego Kochen, in whom there are high expectations. Barça's youth football coaches have conveyed to Deco and company that the young goalkeeper has the necessary skills and potential to become one of the best. Therefore, the Portuguese director has decided to trust and has already communicated his intentions to Joan Laporta and Hansi Flick.
With this in mind, Kochen has many options to move up to the first team next season. Although he is still of youth age, he could fill one of the spots left vacant by both Szczęsny and Iñaki Peña.