Hansi Flick Signals Need for More Signings Despite Barcelona's £65m Rodri Deal

Barcelona have made a stunning move by agreeing on a £65 million transfer to bring Rodri from Manchester City. Yet, manager Hansi Flick insists this deal alone won't be enough to strengthen the squad adequately.

The German coach, who recently took charge of the Catalan giants, communicated clearly that more players are needed if Barcelona want to challenge at the highest level in Europe once again. He made his views known through the club’s internal media, stating bluntly, "I think we need a few more players."

Encouraging Signs from Pre-season Victory

Flick’s remarks followed a 5-2 win against Swiss side Basel at St. Jakob’s Park, where several key figures returned, including young Spanish talent Lamine Yamal, who scored a penalty in his first game since lifting the World Cup. Flick was generally pleased with the progress but didn’t shy away from highlighting areas needing improvement.

"It was a good test for us; Basel played well," Flick said. "It wasn’t easy playing against them. Perhaps in the first half we didn’t move as quickly as we wanted, either with positioning or off the ball. That’s something to work on. We have potential, and I’m happy with this challenge."

He stressed that training quality and intensity remain the team's strongest points. "How we train is crucial, and the standard is very good," Flick added. "We’ll analyze the match and upcoming training sessions carefully as we prepare for the next game."

Managing Fitness Before La Liga Kicks Off

With the league opener against Elche approaching on August 23, Flick is carefully managing player workloads. He noted many squad members had only just returned to training, influencing his lineup decisions during the Basel friendly.

"Some players arrived five days ago, and we must prepare for Elche. We need to decide who can start and who can last the full 90 minutes, especially with only five substitutions allowed. This affects how we handle the match," he explained.

The friendly also gave new signings a chance to impress. Karim Adeyemi scored after an assist from Raphinha, while teenage recruit Jesse Bisiwu grabbed attention with two late goals off the bench. Flick remains hopeful about the squad's potential but stands firm on the need for further reinforcements beyond Rodri to handle a demanding season across multiple competitions.

Final Preparations Ahead of Joan Gamper Trophy

Barcelona will now focus on finalizing their preseason before facing Egyptian side Al-Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy. This match represents the last chance for Flick to try different tactical options before competitive fixtures begin.