Flick ‘desperate’ to have talismanic Barcelona star back after injury-enforced absence | OneFootball

Marcus Rashford arrived at FC Barcelona in the summer as a profile who Hansi Flick could turn to when Raphinha was to be rested – especially given how the Brazilian was used to no end last season and ended fatigued.

The new signing has, in that way, seen far more prominence than was expected of him and has delivered well in terms of goals and assists. Raphinha’s injury handed him prominence, but that could well end in the coming weeks.

With the Brazilian’s return to the field now closer than ever, there is little to no doubt that he will comfortably take Rashford’s place in the XI.

The Englishman has indeed racked up a good G+A tally, but Raphinha brings so much more to the team that very few others can claim to.

Flick’s desperation

As relayed in a recent report by AS, Flick is desperate to have Raphinha back in his dynamics and on the field for the team have suffered in his absence.

The Brazilian star left the field injured in late September and was expected to be back for El Clasico a month later. A relapse, however, kept him out for another few weeks, and he is now expected to return in a few days.

Set to return this week. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

With Raphinha’s return to the field comes the entry of a warrior who defined Barcelona’s previous campaign with numbers that left Europe stunned. He ended with 34 goals and 26 assists and had 12 goals and ten assists at this point in the campaign last season.

His relentless work-rate, invaluable contribution to the team’s pressing structure and warrior mentality pushed the team to their best version last season – and that same tenacity has lacked this time around with the pressing system and desire no longer the same.

The player already started the season with signs that he can have the same output as he scored three goals and provided five assists in just five starts.

A massive campaign stares him in the eye, and Barcelona will hope the captain can step up and deliver once more.

Flick, after all, has high expectations of him and has repeatedly stated that a lot will change after he has his best players back from injury. One of the man players in question was Raphinha, and the time for him to step up and return is now.