FC Barcelona recently announced the signing of Wojciech Szczesny who was coming in to replace the injured Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. The ex-Juventus shot-stopper came out of retirement to sign a short-term contract with the Catalan club.
Szczesny immediately responded to Barcelona’s SOS call to find a new shot-stopper. Although they have a decent backup in Inaki Pena, the youngster has struggled at times when given an opportunity and Hansi Flick might have wanted a steadier presence.
It’s important to note that Pena is just 25 and for a goalkeeper, that is quite young. Not many shot-stoppers are first-choice at that age and it takes time for them to settle in and come into their own while honing their game.
Thus, Barcelona signing Szczesny can really help them this season. As per Mundo Deportivo, the 34-year-old has pleasantly surprised the club staff with his physical condition in his first training session and might be on course to play quicker than anticipated.
Despite having retired for the past few months, it seems that Szczesny has not neglected training and looks in top shape. It has emerged that he would be ready to play as soon as Hansi Flick decides and that bodes well for Barcelona.
Currently, in addition to regular training sessions, he is doing extra strength work in the gym as well as goalkeeping drills. Barcelona have a plan to restore him to full match fitness, and the 34-year-old is putting in a lot of effort on his own.
With the international break coming up, it gives the Polish veteran the chance to work continuously for a couple of weeks with Hansi Flick’s staff and everything points towards him being available when club football resumes after the international break.
Once Szczesny is available, it remains to be seen how Hansi Flick solves the goalkeeping dilemma. The German coach needs to decide who among the Pole and Pena to trust going forward and let’s see who emerges victorious in the race.