Barcelona sporting director Deco says signing Rodri “is sensible” however the membership are planning “strikes” to switch Robert Lewandowski, who left when his contract ended this summer season after averaging greater than a aim a recreation for the reigning Liga champions.
Spain captain Rodri, who was out of contract at Manchester Metropolis in 2027, joined Barca for £65 million on Tuesday, though there was hypothesis that a part of their motivation for the deal concerned stopping Actual Madrid from signing the revered midfielder.
“Initially, he wasn’t in our plans as a result of we thought he wasn’t out there,” Deco advised TV3, by way of Mundo Deportivo.
“We didn’t signal him to take a participant from Madrid. That may be a mistake. He’s top-of-the-line midfielders on the earth. We’re sure he can contribute and that’s why it is sensible.”
Rodri: Barcelona take care of Man Metropolis ‘improves workforce’
Deco mentioned Rodri represented an “alternative”. “We went for it and we succeeded,” he defined, including that Barca had taken the identical strategy with new signings Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, Jesse Bisiwu and Joao Cancelo.
“We’re proud of everybody. Each signing we’ve made has a function. Earlier than signing anybody, we mentioned it extensively earlier than making a choice.
“The whole lot has a function: to enhance the workforce. Rodri improves it.”
The 30-year-old was the ultimate participant to emerge through the conventional spherical of squad introductions in entrance of Barcelona’s crowd earlier than the Joan Gamper Trophy match on Wednesday.
Rodri acquired probably the most rapturous reception of any participant to go out from the tunnel at Camp Nou, though the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner was not concerned within the 2-1 win over Egyptian facet Al Ahly, with captain Raphinha and 18-year-old ahead Hamza Abdelkarim scoring through the first half.
Barcelona transfers: Lewandowski substitute looms
Whereas Abdelkarim has 4 objectives in pre-season and Adeyemi and Gordon provide Barca extra width and attacking choices, probably the most prolific workforce in final season’s Liga face a substantial process to discover a participant who can emulate Robert Lewandowski’s impression, with the switch window shutting on September 1.
Now with MLS facet Chicago Hearth, the Poland icon, who turns 38 on Friday and have become more and more peripheral throughout his ultimate season at Barcelona, scored 119 objectives in 191 video games for the membership between 2022 and 2026, successful La Liga 3 times and the 2025 Copa del Rey.
“Two gamers have left,” mirrored Deco. “Ferran [Torres, to Paris Saint-Germain] and Robert. We will fill Ferran’s function with the brand new additions, however changing Robert could be very tough.
“Even for those who discover a good participant, it’s very tough as a result of he outlined an period with us. We’ve inner options however we will definitely make some strikes.
“It’s about discovering the most effective answer. We’re working to see what we are able to do between now and the tip of the season.”
Hansi Flick: Barca signing Rodri ‘top-of-the-line’
Flick praised Deco for “doing an ideal job” and confirmed Barca are “on the lookout for that participant” in assault.
“Hamza is an efficient striker,” Flick mentioned after the trophy win. “We will see it when he assaults crosses.
“I noticed him holding onto the ball [against Al-Ahly], which is sweet. That is what I need to see from him.
“Rodri confirmed on the World Cup that he was top-of-the-line; he gave construction to the workforce, organises the sport properly and may resolve whether or not to play quicker or slower. He’s a frontrunner.”
Initially a mortgage signing for Barcelona B in February, Egypt newcomer Abdelkarim joined Barca completely for round £1.3m in June and has made that value look astonishingly good worth throughout a pre-season to recommend his new membership have one other sensation on their books.
What’s subsequent? Barcelona fixtures, schedule
Reigning Spanish champions Barca’s aggressive season begins away to Elche in La Liga on August 23 (20:30 BST).
