Deco reveals why Barcelona kept Anthony Gordon and Rodri transfers secret: ‘Some things that aren’t worth explaining’ | OneFootball

Barcelona sporting director Deco has lifted the lid on the thinking behind the club’s summer transfer business, explaining to SPORT how the arrivals of Anthony Gordon and Rodri were influenced by Hansi Flick’s demands and a deliberately secretive recruitment process.

The sporting director also addressed Barcelona’s extraordinary start to the season, with Flick’s team winning all five matches while scoring 22 goals.

“I thought we’d get off to a good start, playing strongly. We aim to win and play well. We didn’t expect to score so many goals.

“Feyenoord have a good team and a good manager, and it looks as though yesterday’s result came easily. 

“The result is encouraging and gives a sense of dominance, but it was actually quite a difficult match.”

Why Barcelona kept their transfer plans quiet

Furthermore, Deco also explained that Barcelona deliberately operate with a small group when working on transfers, believing excessive speculation can make negotiations harder.

“We have a closed working group. If it were up to the press, we’d sign 50 players. It’s normal – we’re all curious.

“If there’s a lot of speculation, it can sometimes complicate our transfers, because agents or clubs change the terms. Barça’s name carries a lot of weight; it makes waves around the world.

“It seems that whenever a player catches Barça’s eye, everyone else wants him too. 

“We’ve stuck to our plan, working with Bojan and the manager. Some things aren’t worth explaining until they’ve been finalised.

“We had a clear idea of what we were going to be looking for this summer. Leaks don’t always work out; they don’t help.”

On Gordon and Rodri

Deco has disclosed how Barcelona pulled off Rodri’s signing. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The aforementioned approach proved useful in the deals for Gordon and Rodri.

On Gordon, Deco said the need for greater intensity was central to the decision.

“We watch all the training sessions and analyse the team. We have a clear idea of what we’re looking for.

“One of the difficulties last year was that, without Raphinha, the team’s energy levels dropped; they were lost. We needed more intensity. We analysed lots of wingers.

“Signing players from the Premier League is almost impossible. Firstly, we had the financial capacity to do so.

“The manager saw it clearly. And from there, we worked on the deal. Gordon was very keen to be part of the project. We paid his market value.”

On the other hand, the Barcelona sporting director said Rodri was a far more unexpected opportunity.

“A few months ago, we hadn’t even considered it. We didn’t think he’d leave City. We thought it was impossible, because he had another year left on his contract.

“As soon as we heard he might be leaving, I asked their sporting director. He told me that if Rodri decided to leave, they’d let him go. From then on, we set to work.”

Asked about Rodri and his ‘no’ to Madrid, Deco simply replied: “You’ll have to ask him about that.”

On Rodri’s back operation, he added: “Yes, he’s had an operation. It’s difficult for me to talk about medical matters. It was bothering him in his day-to-day life, though not so much in his sporting career.”

Anthony Gordon was one of the marquee additions in the Barcelona squad. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

It is to be noted that Rodri was also wanted by Real Madrid, which makes him an even more significant signing for Barcelona.

Asked if the midfielder had rejected the league rivals, he simply said, “You’ll have to ask him about that.”

No need to sign a new striker

Barcelona were called out for not signing a pure No.9 despite the fact that Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres had departed.

However, Deco played down the need for Barcelona to sign a traditional striker, stating,

“The debate about the number nine is quite a long one. The real number nines are Kane, Haaland and Lewandowski – the best of them all. 

“There are few of them these days. Eto’o wasn’t a pure number nine; he was a bit like Raphinha.

“PSG haven’t had a proper number nine. Tailoring your football to a striker shapes the way you play.

“Many players in the squad can adapt to this position. Ferran wasn’t a number nine either. We shouldn’t be obsessed with this.”

And with Barcelona already thriving without a pure No.9, Deco insisted the squad has enough attacking quality.

“We’re not short of a goal-scorer. Raphinha is doing very well. Gabriel, who’s the closest to a number nine, is a team player. 

“Hamza, on the other hand, is a proper number nine – one with a bright future,” he concluded.