Barcelona’s winners and losers as Hansi Flick replaces Xavi as boss

A tumultuous season on and off the pitch is finally over for Barcelona, and for a couple of months at least attention will turn to international tournaments.

For the first team players that will be heading off around the world, they do so in the knowledge that when they return, things will look a lot different about the place.

Xavi and his backroom team have been sent packing, and depending on what side of the fence you sit on, that’s either a long overdue decision or a knee-jerk reaction.

Regardless, Hansi Flick is now in charge and will likely spend much of his time looking over videos of the campaign as well as watching as many of the European Championship and Copa America games that will involve Barca players as possible.

The transfer ins and outs will likely need to be addressed soon after he arrives, and to that end there will be some winners and losers.

Winners

For starters, one of the reasons given as to Xavi’s somewhat surprising removal just a few weeks after everything was all smiles between him, Deco and Joan Laporta, was a virtual blanket refusal to play Vitor Roque.

From a culer perspective, starting Robert Lewandowski on the bench would’ve been a brave call, but what was clear to Xavi was the youngster wasn’t ready for La Liga. However, that clearly wasn’t good enough for the president.

What Hansi Flick will therefore understand almost immediately is, in some respects, he is going to be a puppet. Certain players will play whether the manager deems that to be correct or not.

Lewy is another who will benefit, having played under the new coach whilst at Bayern Munich.

The pair appeared to enjoy a very healthy working relationship, and while the years haven’t been kind to the Poland international, Flick will be acutely aware of his capabilities and will arguably set up the team accordingly.

Ilkay Gundogan hasn’t had an incredible season but nor has it been really poor, and as a midfielder that can open the door when it appears slammed shut, he’s more than likely to be an important and experienced member of Flick’s squad.

Losers

The two Joaos – Felix and Cancelo – might be heading away with Portugal under the assumption that they’ll be back at the club next season.

Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images

If Laporta has anything to do with it – and his relationship with Jorge Mendes would suggest there’s a chance he will – then the pair might stay, however, there are enough reasons why both should be sent back from whence they came this summer.

They could be a burden financially, Joao Felix doesn’t do enough to warrant a squad place whilst Cancelo is a liability.

Ferran Torres is another player that will be looking over his shoulder. Brought in by Xavi he’s hardly ever been first choice even though he’s had more than enough time to display the form that encouraged Barcelona to pay £55m for his services in the first place – something he’s regularly failed to do.

Sergi Roberto’s continuity is also in doubt. Xavi had urged Barca to hand their captain a new deal, but it seems unlikely that Flick will feel quite as strongly about the veteran.

Barca’s new manager doesn’t have to be the new broom that sweeps everything clean, but a few exits are certainly needed not just for financial reasons but to help him stamp his authority on the squad once they return.