From top to bottom, Hansi Flick’s arrival at FC Barcelona has brought with it some unique changes. Over the last few years, the Catalan giants have struggled in many ways and control on the pitch was one of those issues. Ever since Sergio Busquets left the club, Barcelona has been searching for his rightful successor.
Unfortunately for La Blaugrana, either they could not find the right profile or they simply did not have the right financial assets to secure such a player. Yet, it seems like Barcelona have now done what they always tend to do in such situations, find their answer within their own youth academy.
Marc Casado, aged just 21, is one of the breakout stars of this season and his importance to the team is already quite evident. Yet, before Hansi Flick came along, the young Spaniard did not nearly get as many opportunities to showcase his talents as he has this season.
That is because, as highlighted by SPORT, Hansi Flick has recognized the player’s hidden potential just like his predecessors, Pep Guardiola and Johan Cruyff, saw in the likes of Sergio Busquets and Guardiola himself as a player respectively.
Not considered to be standout academy talents or youngsters at first, but their respective coaches saw their hidden potential and gave them the chances to prove that they were the right picks. In time, all of them proved that to have been the right call.
With Casado now, while it is still early days, there is definitely a lot of potential that still remains untapped. Already one of the finest defensive midfielders in Europe this season, the youngster continues to go from strength to strength, helping Barcelona dominate games as much as possible.
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BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 26: Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between FC Barcelona and Stade Brestois 29 at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on November 26, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.
MALLORCA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 03: Frenkie de Jong (R) of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal with teammates during the LaLiga match between RCD Mallorca and FC Barcelona at Estadi de Son Moix on December 03, 2024 in Mallorca, Spain.
MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 26: Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with teammates Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal during the LaLiga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 26, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.
In terms of his impact and availability this season, Casado has missed only two games while still being available for selection. Those were the games against Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano early in the season, at a point when Marc Bernal was still fully fit and starting for Hansi Flick’s team. Apart from those games, when fit and available, he has participated in every single outing.