Recent years have not been kind to FC Barcelona in terms of allowing them to sign new players. La Blaugrana have had to rely heavily on their youth players and it has had both upsides and downsides. Ultimately, however, Barcelona knew that they had to sign players to improve the overall quality of the squad.
Even if it meant just betting on one key player rather than spending haphazardly on multiple players, La Blaugrana were willing to do it. Over the course of this recent transfer window, Barcelona were being linked to many different players but they ultimately made only one major signing.
That specific signing was one that brought €60 million-rated Spanish star Dani Olmo back home to Barcelona almost a decade since he left the embrace of La Masia and the youth teams. Now a matured player who was leading RB Leipzig last season, Olmo’s arrival was one that guaranteed quality.
However, many people were not exactly fully convinced by this signing. Seeing it as a push by Deco and one that meant that Nico Williams would not be able to join Barcelona this summer, people had their suspicions towards the Barcelona board and it consequently undermined the signing of Olmo as well.
Fortunately, as highlighted by SPORT, Olmo’s start to life at Barcelona has made some things quite clear. Instead of being a liability or an image-driven signing, the former RB Leipzig star is a player who drastically improves the sporting qualities of his team and opens up new avenues for his teammates and coach as well.
For instance, Robert Lewandowski now feels much more unburdened compared to recent seasons. Unlike last campaign, the Polish ace now has a dependable goal threat in the box with him who has shown that he is more than capable of scoring goals with a minimal amount of chances.
Both Raphinha and Lamine Yamal have also found a new reliable ally who they can link up with. Through their wide play, and even their occasional central runs, they are now aware of Olmo’s ability to find them with inch-perfect passes while also being capable of receiving passes from them with the utmost composure.
Even Pedri has enjoyed playing with Olmo so far it seems. Already aware of his qualities due to them being a part of the Spanish National team together, it is no wonder the two manage to synchronize so well on the field whenever they play together.
Hansi Flick would also be delighted with this new Barcelona signing, one who has had no problems with integrating himself into the team and also being an extremely versatile player that provides the German coach with a lot of different ways in which he can make use of Olmo’s talents.
With two goals in two games, a versatile profile, and an ability to shoot from distance that Barcelona has missed dearly in recent seasons, Dani Olmo’s signing continues to be one that was greatly undermined and underestimated by everyone it seems.
