Fermin has broken down the door and doesn't intend to stop; the youth academy player has earned the respect of the locker room and, more importantly, Hansi Flick's complete trust. Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Frenkie de Jong know it: if the Andalusian keeps this up, no one will take him out of the starting eleven. The message is clear: at Barça, he's no longer simply "the 12th player," but a key man in the German coach's system.
The player's impact has been immediate; he has gone from being a top-level substitute to a potential starter. His aggressiveness and runs from the second line are key to breaking open matches. Flick has seen it and has decided to completely close the door to any exit. Neither a loan nor a sale, Barça doesn't even want to hear about the young talent leaving. The squad is clear: whoever relaxes loses their spot.
At Camp Nou, his emergence has created a new, highly competitive scenario. Raphinha and Lamine, who until now alternated starts, know that the margin for error has shrunk. Frenkie de Jong also senses the threat in midfield. Flick doesn't look at names; he looks at performance, and if Fermín keeps this level, the established stars will have to work hard to keep their status.
Flick will give him more minutes
The German coach doesn't give away minutes; he knows that internal pressure raises everyone's level. With Fermín, Flick has a player capable of providing balance and, at the same time, verticality. It's a profile that fits perfectly with the idea he wants to implement: a more direct Barça, with quick transitions and less predictability in attack.
Fermín's leap also has an emotional component. The locker room senses his ambition and hunger for success. He hasn't come to be a filler. He has come to earn a place and fight for titles. That sends a message to the rest: there are no untouchables here; whoever performs, plays. That's why the chances of the Huelva native leaving the club have evaporated.
Fermín is Deco's gem
Flick already considers him a fixed piece of his project; from "secret weapon," he has become a constant threat to opponents. For his own teammates fighting for a starting spot, the warning has been given. If he keeps this up, Raphinha, Lamine, and company will have to grit their teeth to avoid losing prominence.
FC Barcelona has found an unexpected engine in Fermín, one that not only adds points on the field but also raises the bar for the entire squad. In a long and demanding season, that can make the difference between competing or falling behind. Fermín López is one of the great sensations of the blaugrana team and hopes to be even more important than he already has been.