Diego Kochen of FC Barcelona
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Having left FC Barcelona to join Lyngby on loan this summer, goalkeeper Diego Kochen is already beginning to show his talent and potential in Denmark.
The 20-year-old Barcelona starlet has been named in the Danish Superliga Team of the Week after producing his best performance since arriving in the country.
In their latest game this past weekend, Kochen made seven saves against Odense Boldklub, producing several outstanding stops along the way.
Lyngby eventually drew the match 1-1 and now have five points from their opening six games.
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Regular football was the priority
After deciding to leave Barcelona this summer, Kochen chose Denmark because his main objective was to build up regular competitive playing time, and so far he has achieved exactly that.
He has started every match apart from the cup game, where rotations were made. So far, the Barça loanee has played six games, in which he has conceded 11 goals. And, given how things are going, he is happy with the decision to move to Denmark.
Kochen’s consistent performances with Lyngby could also earn him another call-up from the United States youth teams during the next international break.
His most recent international involvement came with the US Under-21s, although he has already trained with the senior national team.
Lyngby have a €1.5 million option to buy Kochen at the end of his loan. Should they activate it, Barcelona would retain 40% of any future transfer fee.
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Barcelona’s goalkeeping situation is settled
Kochen had spent the previous few seasons in a mixed role at Barcelona, combining duties as the first-choice goalkeeper for Barça Atletic with his position as the first team’s third goalkeeper.
That arrangement occasionally created problems, particularly when he was called up by Hansi Flick and therefore unable to play for the reserve side at the weekend.
That situation will not arise this season.
With Dominik Livakovic now registered, Barcelona’s first team have three goalkeepers and will not need to call upon anyone from the academy to complete matchday squads. Wojciech Szczesny will be the third-choice option.
Julian Alvarez, Atletico Madrid player
Julian Alvarez, Atletico Madrid player