Fermin Lopez talks Julian Alvarez, Rodri, Gordon, Adeyemi, Flick, No. 7 shirt, World Cup | OneFootball

Barcelona’s squad is now filled with World Champions, and the Blaugrana will soon announce the arrival of Rodri to further lengthen the list.

One more player who could have had the same tag is Fermin Lopez, and the player was even set to be part of the Spanish contingent for the World Cup.

A last-minute fracture to his metatarsal, however, turned his world upside down as he was forced to stay in Catalonia and watch his compatriots make history without him.

Fermin is now back fit and raring to go, but it is clear that missing out on the chance of a lifetime will stick with him for a while.

Fermin speaks on the new season

In a recent interview with ARA, the Barcelona star opened up in depth about the new season and what he expects from the club over the next year. He also touched on several personal topics and sporting issues at the club.

Lopez began by giving his verdict on Barcelona’s new signings and what he made of the team after the new arrivals.

“I see it just as well as last year. The additions will give us an extra. We will improve, with these signings.”

“[The improvement will be] in terms of squad. When we have had some important player injuries, we have lacked replacements. Now we can rotate more.”

On the centre-forward situation

The star midfielder was then asked about Barcelona’s lack of a natural number nine and who the club can turn to for goals.

“I don’t know, but Gordon can also play as a centre forward. And Dani [Olmo], Raphinha, and I… If there’s another signing, I don’t know either, but we have many players who can score goals.”

“I can adapt, yes. I have played as a false nine in the lower categories of Barça. It is a position similar to my favourite, which is attacking midfielder. I can also play wide on the left wing, but my best version is as an attacking midfielder,” he added.

Fermin was then asked what he made of Ferran Torres’ departure from Barcelona and whether he tried to stop his compatriot from leaving.

“They are personal decisions and I don’t have all the information either, but for me it’s a shame because he has been a great teammate and he is a good player. I wish him the best.”

“I wrote to him when he left to say goodbye to him. There was no need to be there bothering him to convince him. He has made this decision and I am happy if he is happy,” he added.

Fermin appreciates Julian Alvarez. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Finally, he was asked about Julian Alvarez as a potential signing and what he made of the Argentine star.

“I like him, he is a great player, but in the end, he is an Atlético de Madrid player. I can’t go into much more detail. I can only say that in our squad, the way we play, I think he would fit in very well, obviously.”

“They are profiles we didn’t have. Players who will give us other things. They are two great reinforcements,” he added, speaking about what the new signings will add.

On his situation and Rodri

Lopez is now one of Barcelona’s biggest stars, but just last summer he had massive interest from Chelsea which he rejected to stay.

“It is always good to have interest from clubs and for them to speak well of you, but I have always been clear that I want to continue at Barça,” he said on the same.

The player then spoke about what Barcelona’s latest signing Rodri would add.

“He is a great player. Ballon d’Or winner and world champion. I have him as a teammate in the national team and he is the best point guard in the world. He will give us a lot.”

Rodri will be taking Fermin’s number 16 next season with the latter taking Ferran Torres’ number 7. When asked about the switch-up, he said,

“The 7 is a number that I have always liked and that great players in our history have worn. As it was vacant, I asked for it and I am very happy to wear it.”

“I felt a bit sorry to leave the 16 because I had a special fondness for it after these seasons in the first team, but I am convinced that it will be in good hands… [laughs].”

Fermin is Barcelona’s new No. 7. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)

On Flick and La Masia

The Spanish international was then asked to hand his opinion on Barcelona’s new breakout academy stars, to which he said,

“They are all very good. The work done at La Masia is very good. If I had to choose two, I would tell you Orian Goren and Ebrima Tunkara. I had practically not seen them play, but they are very good and have a very good level.”

He then spoke about his relationship with Hansi Flick and how he got along with the manager.

“The relationship I have with him is very good. Since he arrived, he has helped me a lot both personally and football-wise.”

“These two years I have grown a lot with what he asks of me on the field. I am performing very well under his orders.”

“Break into the spaces, reach the box, shoot, make the last pass, don’t lose balls. He knows my qualities,” he added when asked what Flick expects of him.

The player then revealed one piece of advice from Flick that stuck with him deeply.

“Mentally, I am a very demanding person and when I miss a pass or things like that I get stuck on the mistake.

“He tells me that football is very fast and you can’t dwell on the mistake, that you have to think about the next play. This advice has helped me improve quite a bit.”

On his beginnings at Barcelona

It was Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez who handed Fermin his debut for the first team, and the midfielder explained how he was ever grateful.

“I am very grateful to him. I did well in training and Xavi gave me his confidence.”

He then remembered the preseason Clasico in which he shone in his first games with the first team.

“I was shitting myself [laughs]. I didn’t expect to play in a Clasico and when Xavi told me to warm up I was very nervous.”

“When I entered the field he told me to shoot, to try, to be brave. I went in and everything went very well for me [he scored a great goal with his left foot],” he added.

The player also spoke about how he had lost hope of returning to Barcelona not too long ago and how life had a pleasant surprise for him.

“Four years ago I thought I would never return to Barça, to be honest. I was already thinking about other things, about growing and perhaps reaching the Second Division, but I didn’t think about returning to Barça and being a first-team player.”

“Linares suited me very well. I scored many goals and improved a lot,” he added.

On missing the World Cup

Coming back stronger after injury. (Photo courtesy: FC Barcelona official website)

Lopez then addressed how difficult it was for him to miss the FIFA World Cup with a last-minute injury, especially given that he would be a World Champion had matters gone differently.

“It has been complicated. Playing in the World Cup was a dream for me. I was in my best moment. But I have already turned the page. I am very eager to play again, to score goals again.”

He did, however, reveal that he did watch and cheer his compatriots no matter how hard it was.

“At first no, it was very difficult for me. But when I could move more, I had already overcome it a little and I watched the games. I cheered for Spain, obviously.”

Finally, the player was reminded of Real Madrid’s signings this summer and whether it intimidated him, to which he said,

“We are very well, honestly. But I do understand that Madrid will be more dangerous this year. They haven’t won any titles in two years and obviously they want to win again.”

“They will be harder to beat, but we have to maintain our line. And in the Champions League, I hope that when the knockout stages arrive, we are prepared. Hopefully, we can give Barça their sixth,” he added.