“My plan is clear, I want to succeed at Barcelona,” were the words of Ansu Fati in a recent interview.
After an underwhelming loan stint at Brighton and Hove Albion where he scored just four goals, one wonders what Ansu Fati has shown to bestow confidence in the Catalan club’s administration over his abilities.
Here are three conditions that must play in the La Masia star’s favour if he is to succeed at Barcelona once more.
Sell a big name in attackThe final condition that must fall into place for Fati’s big dream is that Barcelona sell a big name in attack.
Having the likes of Raphinha and Ferran Torres ahead of him on the pecking order, thus, will not help Fati.
“My plan is clear, I want to succeed at Barcelona,” were the words of Ansu Fati in a recent interview.
After an underwhelming loan stint at Brighton and Hove Albion where he scored just four goals, one wonders what Ansu Fati has shown to bestow confidence in the Catalan club’s administration over his abilities.
What is clear, however, is that the Premier League side will not persist with the out-of-favour star next season. He will return to Barcelona and have a chance to make his dream come true, but a number of factors must fall into place first.
Here are three conditions that must play in the La Masia star’s favour if he is to succeed at Barcelona once more.
Convince during pre-season
Fati’s decline has not been easy to watch for the Barcelona faithful. Once considered one of the academy’s best talents, a single injury appears to have created irreparable damage in his career.
Now out of the National Team dynamics as well, the youngster will not travel to Germany to play the Euros. He will return to the field only in pre-season under Hansi Flick and a lot will ride on his performances in the USA.
Fati recently insisted that he has worked incessantly on his physical fitness. If he is indeed anywhere close to his previous best and shines in the few minutes the new coach trusts him with, he can expect a place in the team next season.
Needless to say, with the chance comes serious pressure and it remains to be seen if Fati can cope with the same and succeed regardless.
What does the future hold for Ansu? (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Do not sign Felix
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona next season will see Lamine Yamal start down the right flank with Robert Lewandowski or Vitor Roque playing through the middle. Luckily for Fati, no one has convinced the management on the left-wing last season.
The more names that clear from the horizon, the better the situation for the academy graduate. It is thus imperative that Barcelona do not sign Joao Felix once again from Atletico Madrid.
While the Portuguese star did have his moments of brilliance over the past year, he failed to provide any form of consistency. With Los Rojiblancos’ demands being sky-high, a second loan stint appears improbable and will open up a slot in the team.
Sell a big name in attack
The final condition that must fall into place for Fati’s big dream is that Barcelona sell a big name in attack. After all, Hansi Flick is looking for a new signing to bolster the left wing this summer.
Nico Williams and Xavi Simons top the manager’s list of targets for the left wing and will slot straight into the starting lineup should either of them arrive. Having the likes of Raphinha and Ferran Torres ahead of him on the pecking order, thus, will not help Fati.
Barcelona are planning big exits this summer, and the sale of at least one of the two aforementioned stars is thus essential if Fati is to have meaningful minutes next season. The coming month, thus, will be critical.
