Hansi Flick’s new-look Barcelona team has been turning heads all across Europe this season. As one of the most in-form teams at the moment, it hardly comes as a surprise that they are considered a top team to beat. However, unlike the Barcelona of old, this team has adapted new learnings in many ways.
While most people would believe that it is the consequence of the stylistic and tactical changes that Hansi Flick has brought with him that has transformed this team, there is still more to the reality of things than meets the eye. The praise to Flick is justified, but other factors must also be considered.
For starters, the old guard of FC Barcelona is now gone and needed to be replaced. Conventionally, that would mean that the older players would be expected to take over from their predecessors but that has not exactly been the case for the Catalan giants this time around.
Instead, as highlighted by SPORT, the club’s new generation of youngsters has become the leading group within this Barcelona team. From their personal relations to the overall evolution to this team, a lot of priority and power now lies with the next generation’s heroes at the club.
The likes of Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, and Ronald Araujo are now seen as leaders of this Barcelona side. Two of them are already official captains with the Uruguayan defender and Pedri being named as the latest player to become a captain for Barça.
Unlike the current veterans of the team, who are restricted with their own family commitments and other personal errands, these youngsters spend most of their time around one another. Reportedly, this has created a strong bond between them that is easy to see both on and off the field.
While most veterans do not get to share such a close relationship with these youngsters, Inigo Martinez remains an exception. Either due to there being no language barrier or the fact that they possibly bond better with him, the Spanish veteran shares a good relationship with these players.
This squad, even now, has a lot of experienced players that can be categorized as superstars as well. However, it is no longer simply about seniority given just how integral these young players are to the future of Barcelona. Consequently, this new distinct ‘group’ of players has now gained a command of sorts as new leaders of this team.
Even Robert Lewandowski, who has his on-field differences with Lamine Yamal at some points last season, now seems to be closer than ever to the young player. At this point in time, there is sense of mutual respect between the youngsters and the veterans, and it caters to the expectations of both sides.