‘No need’… Deco sets the record straight on the future of 32-year-old Barcelona star | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have had an incredible start to the new era under Hansi Flick. In a very short time, the German coach has made his team one of the very best in Europe, playing some of the best-attacking football seen in a long time around Europe.

The most impressive part is that the German coach has done all this with many of his first-team stars suffering injuries at different points. Among those, one injury that threatened to derail Barcelona’s campaign was the one suffered by Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

The club captain is crucial to the first team, both in terms of leadership and playstyle. More so, there were concerns about the quality that backup shot-stopper Inaki Pena brought to the table and whether he could cover the gaping hole left behind when the German shot-stopper suffered his injury.

So far, Inaki Pena has performed at a decent level, showing signs of improvement with every passing game. Despite this, there were concerns over the long-term future of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, considering he is 32 and has suffered a significant injury. Barcelona were tipped to move in for a younger goalkeeper like Diogo Costa.

However, sporting director Deco has all but quashed the uncertainty surrounding Ter Stegen’s future, claiming that there is no need to sign a new goalkeeper, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo. Initially, about Ter Stegen’s future, he said:

“Marc still has three years left on his contract, he’s young for a goalkeeper at 32, and we need to focus on his recovery. Having two reliable goalkeepers is important so there’s no rush for him to return. We’re taking it step by step; I don’t think it’s something we need to consider now.”

The sporting director then went into details, speaking about the supposed pursuit of Diogo Costa and explaining why it is not happening. He said:

“Firstly, Diogo isn’t being considered because we have Ter Stegen. I don’t see any goalkeeper being signed when Marc is fit. Plus, if I were Diogo, I wouldn’t come to Barcelona to be a backup. We’re not contemplating his signing, and if I were in his place, I’d want to go to a club where I knew I’d play. We’re happy with our current goalkeepers.”

Diogo Costa is an excellent shot-stopper but in Deco’s words, it is clear that the club is not looking beyond Ter Stegen. The German was not in great form before his injury but the club is choosing to keep faith in him, despite his recent injury setback.

Ultimately, it would all depend on how the 32-year-old returns. He is expected to return to action before the season ends. If he can return to the levels that one knows he is capable of, there is no need for Barcelona to sign a new shot-stopper and let’s wait and see how it plays out.