Barcelona manager Hansi Flick warned – stop club cashing in on young star in January

Apart from a challenging spell in November, Barcelona have had a strong season under Hansi Flick, though there are exceptions. Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati have struggled due to injuries, and Fermin Lopez has yet to hit the heights expected of him.

Named Player of the Tournament at the Paris Olympics, Lopez’s season has been hampered by a hamstring injury in September, sidelining him for a month. Since returning, he has played 13 matches, scoring once and assisting twice in the Champions League, but has yet to score in La Liga despite 308 minutes of play.

In a column for Mundo Deportivo, Xavier Bosch advised Lopez not to let missed chances affect his confidence. Despite Gavi’s return and the arrival of Dani Olmo, Bosch believes Lopez will still get opportunities to prove himself. However, Bosch’s suggestion that manager Hansi Flick should “stop Fermin leaving in the winter to make money” raises eyebrows, especially given Lopez’s recent contract extension until 2029 and no other reports of a potential sale.

Lopez’s performance dip is reflected in his stats. According to FBRef, his shots per game are down by 0.52, shots on target per game by 0.9, and shot-creating actions have dropped from 2.61 to 0.88. His lack of goals aligns with an expected goals figure of just 0.21.

With Barcelona’s ongoing financial struggles, including the challenge of registering Dani Olmo, any speculation around Lopez’s future adds an intriguing layer to the club’s situation.