"As we near the halfway point of the season, Barcelona are increasingly facing a dilemma, one that pits financial necessity against sporting risk. The club's new hierarchy under Hansi Flick was established this summer: Joan Garcia, the €25 million signing from Espanyol, is the undisputed number one goalkeeper. This decision effectively demoted club captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen, with the German being relegated to becoming the club's third-choice keeper."
"Since taking over for the injured Garcia, Szczesny's numbers have raised significant alarms. The 35-year-old has started eight matches (five in LaLiga, three in the Champions League). In that span, he has conceded 15 goals and has failed to keep a single clean sheet. The underlying stats are just as worrying. In those seven games, Szczesny has faced 33 shots on target, meaning he is conceding a goal for every 2.75 shots he faces."
"The 33-year-old German international is in the final stages of his recovery from back surgery and is expected to be available again before the end of the year. However, his return is complicated. It is no secret that Barcelona are actively trying to offload his substantial salary in the January window, with Premier League clubs like Chelsea reportedly exploring a loan deal. Ter Stegen himself is motivated to find playing time to secure his starting role for Germany in the 2026 World Cup."
Barcelona's goalkeeper hierarchy places Joan Garcia as first choice after a €25 million transfer, demoting Marc-Andre ter Stegen to third choice. Garcia's torn medial meniscus required surgery in September, sidelining him until after the international break. Wojciech Szczesny has started eight matches in Garcia's absence, conceding 15 goals and keeping no clean sheets. Szczesny has faced 33 shots on target in those games, conceding a goal every 2.75 shots and featuring in a 4-1 loss to Sevilla. Ter Stegen, recovering from back surgery, is expected back before year-end but faces potential January exit as Barcelona seeks to offload his salary while he pursues playing time to secure Germany's 2026 World Cup starting spot. The club therefore confronts a clear dilemma between financial necessity and sporting risk.
Read at Barca Universal
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