Barcelona has something of a crisis at goalkeeper with the new season just a week away, which could see American teenager Diego Kochen make his competitive debut for the La Liga power.
Kochen is considered one of the top goalkeeping prospects in Barcelona's academy, having impressed with the club's reserve side Barcelona Atlètic last season.
The 19-year-old wasn't expected to realistically compete for minutes with the senior side this season, but a confluence of events has seen the Florida native potentially in line to start Barça's La Liga opener against Mallorca on Aug. 16.
Longtime goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is in conflict with the club over the severity of a back injury, which recently saw the German international undergo surgery.
If Ter Stegen's injury isn't deemed a long-term issue, it would jeopardize Barcelona's ability to register new signing Joan García, who head coach Hansi Flick has chosen as his starter this season.
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García's presumed backup Wojciech Szczęsny has not been registered yet either, while last year's backup Iñaki Peña is heading for the exit with a move to Como seemingly on the horizon.
Per Sport, Flick could well turn to Kochen if García and Szczęsny can't be registered in time.
Kochen is no stranger to the Barcelona first team, having made the bench for a number of games over the past two seasons. The Florida native has made multiple senior-team appearances in friendlies, including playing the last 15 minutes of Monday's win over Korean side Daegu.
But actually starting a league match would be a major step up for Kochen, who has represented the U.S. at multiple youth international levels and has also been called into the senior team — though he has yet to debut.
It's unclear exactly what playing for the first team would mean for Kochen's long-term prospects at Barcelona. García is just 24 while two other highly rated young goalkeepers — Ander Astralaga and Áron Yaakobishvili — are out on loan in the Spanish second division this season.
Kochen will likely need a loan himself if he wants to play regular senior minutes this season, but the teenager may have a major, and unexpected, chance to impress right out of the gate.