Barcelona’s 18-year-old academy talent an option for Flick to bolster defence amid key absences | OneFootball

The absence of Andreas Christensen has created a serious dilemma for Barcelona at a crucial point of the season. 

With the Danish international ruled out until the end of the campaign and uncertainty still surrounding the return of Ronald Araujo, Barcelona’s defensive structure has been left dangerously exposed. 

For Hansi Flick, reinforcing the centre-back position is no longer optional, it has become essential.

Much has been written about Barcelona’s search for short-term solutions in the January transfer window, but the reality is far less encouraging. 

Options that are affordable, available, and convincing from a sporting point of view are extremely limited. 

Flick is not prepared to sign a player simply to fill numbers, especially in a role as delicate as central defence.

Turning to La Masia

This is precisely why, according to SPORT, Flick is once again looking inward rather than outward. 

Cuenca could be a good option for Flick. (Photo by Vasile Mihai-Antonio/Getty Images for DFB)

Since arriving at Barcelona, the German coach has repeatedly shown a willingness to trust La Masia when the market fails to offer the right answers. That philosophy could now come into play once more.

One name gaining attention internally is Andres Cuenca, an 18-year-old left-footed centre-back currently playing with the reserve team. 

Cuenca is not a newcomer to Flick’s plans, as the youngster made his senior debut in the Champions League against Young Boys last season.

Despite his age, Cuenca has continued to progress steadily. He has featured in three official matches for the reserve team in Segunda RFEF and has also been part of Barcelona’s Youth League campaign. 

His season began later than expected due to his involvement with Spain at the U-20 World Cup, which explains his intermittent presence so far. 

Now, Flick values several aspects of Cuenca’s profile and being left-footed is a major advantage, especially given Barcelona’s current imbalance in defence. 

It is said that if the transfer market offers no convincing answers, La Masia may once again be asked to step up and Cuenca could find himself at the heart of Barcelona’s second-half survival plan.