FC Barcelona Takes Tough Steps to Manage Overcrowded Squad
FC Barcelona has made challenging decisions this summer to address the issue of an overflowing squad. With some transfers failing to materialize, the Catalan club has ordered six players to train separately to hasten their departures and minimize injury risks.
There will be no change in strategy. With just over two weeks left in the transfer window, the focus remains on ensuring the players involved can find new clubs, ideally through permanent moves.
This decision has sparked considerable frustration among several affected players, especially those who have already contributed significant minutes to the first team, according to SPORT.
Representatives for some of these players also believe that Barcelona’s current asking prices are excessively high, complicating the search for suitable destinations.
German coach Hansi Flick has acknowledged that these are difficult choices, but he emphasizes that the club must act decisively to safeguard its sporting and financial interests.
A Decision That Has Unsettled the Dressing Room
The circumstances surrounding individual players vary, yet all are currently training outside the main collective. Barcelona aims to prevent further serious injuries following Roony Bardghji’s ACL rupture during intense training.
The players on the sidelines include Marc Casado, Hector Fort, Guille Fernandez, Toni Fernandez, Tommy Marques, and Jofre Torrents.
Complications Surrounding Casado’s Situation
Complications escalated when Flick informed Bardghji and Casado that they would not accompany the team to a triangular tournament in Italy last weekend.
This announcement resulted in disbelief and tension, particularly regarding Casado. Many teammates selected for the trip expressed their shock, marking an uncomfortable episode that has noticeably affected team morale.
Casado remains a fan favorite, appreciated for his dedication on and off the pitch. He was aware that the club wanted him to transfer this summer and had been working with his agent, Jorge Mendes, to find an appropriate solution.
Barcelona hopes he might consider a move to Saudi Arabia, where Al Hilal is willing to offer a significant fee. However, Casado prefers to stay in Europe.
Being separated from the first-team squad could hasten his exit, but he will still have a say in his future.
Barcelona Insists the Measure is for Their Benefit
From the club’s viewpoint, this approach aims to protect the players while ensuring they stay fit and motivating them to resolve their futures swiftly.
The players can continue their training and maintain their fitness levels without the injury risks faced by those vying for positions in the first team.
However, the decision has not been favorably received within the dressing room.
The influx of international players has created significant squad-management challenges, leading Flick to prefer a leaner group for effective training.
This urgency explains the club’s actions, yet it has not prevented feelings of resentment from developing.
FC Barcelona have taken a series of difficult decisions this summer to reduce an increasingly crowded squad.
With some departures failing to materialise, the Catalans ordered six players to train separately as they attempt to accelerate their exits and minimise the risk of injuries.
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There will be no change of plan. With just over two weeks remaining in the transfer window, the priority is for the players involved to find new clubs, preferably through permanent transfers.
The decision, however, has generated considerable anger among several of the affected players, particularly those who have already played significant minutes for the first team, according to SPORT.
Some of their representatives also believe Barcelona’s asking prices are currently too high, making it harder to find suitable destinations.
Hansi Flick has acknowledged that these are uncomfortable decisions, but the German coach believes the club has to be bold to protect its sporting and financial interests.
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A decision that has unsettled the dressing room
Hector Fort is among the players training away from the group. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
The circumstances differ from player to player, but they are all now working separately.
Barcelona’s reason is partly to avoid another serious injury, after Roony Bardghji ruptured his ACL while training at full intensity.
The players currently separated from the main group are Marc Casado, Hector Fort, Guille Fernandez, Toni Fernandez, Tommy Marques and Jofre Torrents.
Casado’s situation has become especially complicated
The situation became particularly tense when Flick told Bardghji and Casado that they would not travel with the squad to the triangular tournament in Italy last weekend.
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There was disbelief and tension, particularly in Casado’s case. Several players who were selected for the trip were stunned by what they saw. It was an uncomfortable episode that has noticeably affected the atmosphere around the squad.
Casado remains a popular figure among Barcelona supporters because of his commitment both on and off the pitch.
The midfielder already knew that the club wanted him to leave this summer and had accepted that reality. He had been working with his agent, Jorge Mendes, to find the best possible solution.

Casado has been left particularly frustrated. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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Barça would like him to accept a move to Saudi Arabia, where Al Hilal are prepared to pay a substantial fee. Casado, however, had preferred to remain in Europe.
Being removed from the first-team group could accelerate his departure, but ultimately the player will still have a say in where he goes.
Barcelona insist the measure is for their benefit
From the club’s perspective, the decision is intended to protect the players while keeping them fit and encouraging them to resolve their futures as quickly as possible.
The players can continue training and maintaining their physical condition without being exposed to the same injury risk as those competing for places in the first team.
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But inside the dressing room, the decision has not been well received.
The arrival of the international players was always going to create a major squad-management problem, and Flick also wanted a smaller group with which to work.
That explains the club’s urgency, but it has not stopped resentment from building.
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