Barcelona director talks Flick, Lamine, Rashford, Joan Garcia, Ter Stegen, Cubarsi – ‘He is a chosen one’ | OneFootball

As FC Barcelona prepared to kick off their pre-season tour in Japan after some chaos and controversy, Joan Soler – the club’s director of youth football and a key member of the sporting commission – spoke to SPORT about the various topics related to the club.

From signings made this summer and the talent at La Masia to the club’s financial fair play status, Soler discussed a wide range of matters during the interview.

To kick things off, Soler reflected on the whirlwind of events leading up to the Japan tour, confirming that the initial decision to cancel was reversed after contractual issues were resolved.

“On Wednesday, it was decided not to travel due to breaches of contract, which now seem to have been fixed. That is good news because we were very excited about going to Asia,” he said.

“It was not just about money – it was about the club, the brand, the country, and the fans we have there.”

Looking ahead to the new season, Soler expressed optimism, building on the momentum from last year’s successes.

“We want to continue along the same path. Last season was excellent – we won three titles and were knocked out of the Champions League in the semi-finals over small details, even though we were one of the favourites,” he noted.

“With the new signings and another year of experience for the youngsters, we are very excited.”

Soler credited much of that success to manager Hansi Flick, whose impact on the squad has been undeniable, saying:

“Hansi has won the hearts of Barça fans. He is approachable, quickly united the dressing room, trusted the young players, and got the best out of several veterans. We have renewed his contract, and he is a very important piece of our project going forward.”

On Lamine Yamal and La Masia

As head of youth football, Soler naturally turned to La Masia’s contribution to the first-team squad’s success, as he remarked:

“Without a doubt, we have the best academy in the world. These young players grow up learning a system, a way of playing, and a way of being that reflects Barça.

“In a period of serious difficulty, especially financially, players like Fermin, Gavi, Cubarsi, and Lamine emerged and brought the club back to the world stage.”

Soler explained how players as young as 17 are able to adapt so seamlessly to the Barcelona first team, saying:

“They grow up playing under pressure, they are treated as idols from a young age, and they understand what it means to wear the Barça shirt.

“This gives them maturity and values, so when they reach the first team, they are ready. And when several of them come through together, even better.”

Reserving great praise for Lamine Yamal, in particular, Soler added: “He is a chosen one. Of course, being surrounded by other young players with shared movements helps, but what he has is unique – his aura, his leadership.

“The club needed a new reference figure. Hopefully, he keeps progressing. We will see an even better Lamine year after year. We do not know where his ceiling is.”

Soler highlighted Lamine’s strong character, with the club handing him the iconic No. 10 shirt.

“He is a boy with a lot of personality. Aside from his playing ability, I would highlight that. He is already a leader in the dressing room, and the veterans see him as something special,” he said.

On whether Lamine could one day win the Ballon d’Or, Soler was hopeful, saying: “If it were up to us, of course. But those awards depend on many factors – titles, performances…

“We did not win the Champions League, but for us he is the best. Sometimes there are things beyond our control.”

Soler, though, was cautious when asked about Lamine’s comparisons with Lionel Messi.

“All comparisons with Messi are difficult because he has been the best in history. Lamine is still very young and has a long way to go. Everything looks promising, and he needs to build his own legacy,” he noted.

“Hopefully, one day we can say he was better than Messi – that would be extraordinary. For now, we are proud to have him at Barça.”

Soler also highlighted some other La Masia graduates, like Pau Cubarsi, who have shown remarkable maturity.

“It is admirable. He plays in a very demanding position and has faced great strikers. As I said, all these kids have grown up with the responsibility of wearing this shirt, so by the time they debut, they are already mentally prepared,” he noted.

Soler, who closely monitors youth development, confirmed that more talent is on the way, saying:

“There are great players coming through, though the ones already in the squad are still very young. If spaces open up, there are options. What matters is that the coach believes in La Masia – he said so from day one.

“But the squad also needs a balance of youth and experience. Maybe with a more experienced team, we would not have had those defensive lapses in the Champions League semi-final.”

On the summer window

As a member of the club’s sporting commission, Soler discussed why the club signed goalkeeper Joan Garcia, saying:

“It was a market opportunity. We saw it was the right time to bring in a young goalkeeper with the potential to be world-class. He had many offers, but once we contacted him, he did not hesitate – even though he was coming from our city rivals.

“He is full of personality. When Barça called, he dropped every other offer. He knows he will compete for everything here and will be valued.”

Soler also offered support for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is set to undergo surgery, amid the ongoing back injury issues.

“First of all, he deserves the utmost respect. He is a member of the squad and is going through a difficult time with a recurring back injury. The club is fully behind him,” said Soler.

“That said, signing Joan Garcia now looks like a well-judged move. Barça must always plan for the present and the future. With Joan, we can feel secure in goal.”

Turning to the club’s latest signing, Marcus Rashford, Soler expressed great enthusiasm, saying:

“He comes off a tough season in England, but the Rashford from a couple of years ago was world-class. I remember how he amazed us in the Europa League – his pace, directness, and style of play.

“From the start, he wanted to come here despite many offers. We are very excited, and we believe Flick will get the best out of him. If that happens, we have a top-tier player.”

Soler excited about Rashford. (Photo courtesy: FC Barcelona official website)

Regarding Nico Williams’ decision to snub Barcelona and stay at Athletic Club once more this summer, Soler noted:

“It was the player’s choice. He came forward, negotiations were held, but no agreement was reached. He decided to renew with Athletic, and I wish him well. We have signed Rashford, and we are excited about that.”

Soler confirmed that Barcelona are confident about player registrations and fair play compliance, saying:

“Since we took office, we have faced many difficulties, but each year we have improved. This rule is so open to interpretation that whenever we cleared one hurdle, another came up. We are working hard, and we will make it through.

“We are calm. Hopefully, one day we can forget about this dreaded fair play. Once the Spotify Camp Nou is fully operational, everything will be easier.”

On pending contract renewals like Frenkie de Jong, Eric Garcia, and Jules Kounde, Soler expressed optimism.

“Deco is working on it, and we are optimistic. The players want to stay, and we want them to stay. There should be no problem,” he said.

Soler also acknowledged the frustration surrounding the delay in returning to Spotify Camp Nou, saying:

“Everyone is eager to go back, so any delay feels like a setback. It is a massive project. We are working very hard – so is the construction company – to finish as soon as possible. The sooner we return, the better for our finances.”

Lastly, when asked about Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste receiving a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, Soler, who could replace him, was measured in his response.

“That is a question for him. All I can say is that as a fellow board member, I am delighted with him. He works incredibly hard for the club, and I hope he stays with us for many years. But it is his decision,” he said.