Manager “happy” with the quality in his squad
Hansi Flick is “disappointed” that La Masia teenager Dro Fernandez left Barcelona and joined Paris Saint-Germain this January, revealing he “really loved” the attacking midfielder.
Fernandez came through the academy into the first team just last summer, billed as the next big talent from La Masia. He travelled with Barcelona to pre-season in Asia and has since been training with the first team.
But the 18-year-old told the club he wanted to leave, and Barcelona were forced to negotiate an €8m deal with the Parisian club.
“I really loved this boy,” Flick said. “Of course I am disappointed, but this is football. We have to respect his decision.
“As I say, I am disappointed. He knows it; I loved this boy. [At Barcelona] he also maybe had a great future, but he made another decision.”
Barcelona have struggled with injuries, with midfielder Pedri the latest to be sidelined and expected to be out until late February.
“Hopefully all the injured players come back soon,” Flick said. “Pedri is in the middle of his recovery. Gavi, he also trained more than before, so we will see what happens; and Andreas [Christensen is] also like that.
“I have a good team, we have a lot of quality and also from Barca B, La Masia, they also have the quality to play, like Tommy [Marques], Jofre [Torrents] and the others who have been with us. I am really happy with the quality.”
