Hansi Flick blocks Barcelona defensive talent’s call-up for reserve team | OneFootball

As reported earlier in the week, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick had decided to allow youngsters Toni Fernandez, Guille Fernandez, Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernandez, and Jofre Torrents to train with the reserve team this week.

The La Masia quartet have been in the first-team dynamics since pre-season but were allowed to go down to the Barça Atletic setup during the ongoing international break, with the idea being that they train and get some minutes in the reserve team’s season-opener on Sunday.

Jofre Torrents not called up

However, when the Barça Atletic squad list for their game against Porreres was announced earlier today, only three of the four aforementioned players were included.

Indeed, Toni, Guille, and Dro were called up by manager Juliano Belletti, who also welcomed young winger Dani Rodriguez back after months out with an injury. But Jofre Torrents’ name was missing.

Now, according to SPORT, Flick has stepped in and blocked Jofre being called up for the Barça Atletic game on Sunday.

With Alejandro Balde sidelined, the left-back position in the first team is weakened, and the German tactician decided to play it safe with the 18-year-old and not risk him picking up an injury in a fourth-tier fixture.

Balde’s thigh injury in training earlier this week is set to sideline him for close to a month, leaving Gerard Martin as the first-choice left-back, with Jofre now the backup.

Neither David Oduro nor Alexander Walton, the other left-backs from Barça Atletic, are considered ready for senior duty.

Hence, Flick opted for the cautious approach with Jofre, who already made his La Liga debut against Mallorca – showing the trust he places in the 18-year-old.

Barcelona’s long-term vision is clear: Jofre is being groomed to become a first-team regular at left-back for years to come, with his integration getting underway this season.