Fermin Lopez Supports Deco on Barcelona’s No. 9 Decision After Elche Win

Fermin Lopez walked off the pitch against Elche exhausted, but satisfied. Barcelona had just torn through their visitors 5-0 in the second round of the 2026/27 La Liga season, and the midfielder felt the performance matched the scoreline.

He said the team “finished the match feeling good,” highlighting how Barça converted their attacking play into a dominant display. The message from him was clear: this is the standard, and they have to keep working in the same way.

The win, though, did not silence one of the big questions hanging over the club — whether Barcelona still need to bring in a new No. 9.

Deco will do what’s best

Asked directly about the possibility of a new centre-forward arriving, Lopez refused to step into the sporting director’s territory. He backed Deco to make the right call for the club and underlined that the dressing room already contains several attacking options.

For Lopez, the decision is not one for the players. He pushed responsibility firmly towards those in charge upstairs, stressing that it is Deco, as sporting director, who must weigh up the market and the squad’s needs. The implication was simple: the group will adapt to whatever the club decides, and believes it has weapons already in place.

Tough summer, heavy legs

Lopez also opened up on his own condition. The 5-0 looked comfortable from the stands, but he admitted he ended the game exhausted and still feels he is chasing full match rhythm.

He described his summer as “very tough” and pointed out that he needs minutes to sharpen his edge. Even after such a resounding victory, his focus returned to the grind — recovery, rhythm, and the work still to come.

Barcelona’s attack is humming, the scoreline against Elche proves that. Whether Deco adds a new No. 9 to that mix or trusts what is already in the dressing room will shape the next chapter of their season.