and While superstar winger Lamine Yamal, modeled after all-time Barcelona great Lionel Messi, receives the majority of the attention, another La Masia alumnus, Fermin Lopez, is proving increasingly important.
The 22-year-old midfielder is quickly establishing himself as a regular starter for Hansi Flick, despite the fact that he is not yet well-known outside of Spain.
Chelsea knows a lot about Lopez, having had a 40-million-euro ($46 million) deal rejected in the summer.
Barcelona will visit Stamford Bridge in the Champions League on Tuesday, with the midfielder serving as one of their primary goal threats.
Flick wanted to keep Lopez, but Barcelona was willing to sell him at the right price, which Chelsea did not meet.
“I’m convinced he’ll stay, but I’m not sure what happens in the end.” We need to wait. “I’m really happy when the market is closed,” Flick said in August, and he eventually got his wish. Reported By France 24.
Lopez joined Barcelona as a 13-year-old and really wanted to stay. “He lives (for) and loves Barca,” Flick added.
The German credits his predecessor, Xavi Hernandez, with assisting in Lopez’s recovery.
In the summer of 2023, Xavi summoned Lopez up to the first-team squad for pre-season, and he scored against Real Madrid in a Clasico friendly, enabling him stay in the coach’s plans for the 2023-24 season.
Lopez also appeared 46 times for Flick last season as Barcelona won the domestic triple, albeit mostly as a substitute.
The midfielder has taken a step forward this season, outperforming Dani Olmo in the number 10 position when given the opportunity.
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Lopez is Flick’s best option at the front end of the midfield trio, while Gavi is out injured and has been struggling to recapture his best form.
‘He has everything’
In Flick’s physically demanding method, the dynamic Lopez provides limitless energy. He presses well, tracks back, and, most importantly, has a penchant for finding the net, constantly adding to the attack.
“He scores, he runs, he’s very complete,” Flick explained. “has it all, he’s dynamic, he has speed.”
On away travels, Lopez has frequently been the player from whom fans have demanded autographs at the team hotel, trailing only Yamal.
Lopez has seven goals and four assists in 12 games across all competitions this season, including a hat-trick against Olympiakos earlier in the Champions League’s league round.
Lopez also contributed two assists to Barcelona’s 3-3 draw against Club Brugge, but he missed their only European defeat, against Paris Saint-Germain, due to injury.
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