Women's Barça is going through a delicate moment. Departures aren't stopping, arrivals aren't happening, and the team is starting to run short of players. This week, news that especially hurt the fans was confirmed: Jana Fernández, a homegrown player trained at La Masia, will no longer wear the blaugrana jersey.
The farewell of a homegrown player
Jana is leaving after eleven years defending Barça's colors. Her destination will be London City Lionesses, a club newly promoted to the English first division. The transfer became official after several days of negotiation, although the club hasn't clarified whether there will be financial compensation.
In her farewell, the footballer from Martorell posted a very emotional message on social media. She thanked the fans for their support and said her farewell was due to "changing circumstances in soccer." This message suggests that not everything has been easy in her last few months as a culé.
A list of departures that causes concern
Jana's departure is the sixth this summer; Engen, Roebruck, Rolfo, Bruna Vilamala, and Martina Fernández left before her. With all these departures, the squad is reduced to only 17 players. This is an alarming number for a team that aims to win everything.
The most concerning thing is that there aren't any signings in sight. The departures aren't being offset by new additions, and this is starting to set off alarms. The season is long, the competitions are demanding, and rotation is key to avoid injuries and fatigue.
Pere Romeu faces a huge challenge
The coach, Pere Romeu, finds himself in a complicated situation. Losing important pieces and not receiving reinforcements forces him to rethink plans and strategies. The coach will have to trust the young players from the academy more, but the lack of experience can take its toll at decisive moments.
Moreover, managing a locker room with fewer options forces him to get the most out of the available players. The risk of physical and mental overload increases. In a team that plays Champions League, Liga F, Copa de la Reina, and Supercopa, the demands are extremely high.
Jana Fernández's time at Barça leaves a mark; she has won six Liga F titles, three Champions Leagues, seven Copas de la Reina, and five Spanish Supercopas. Her career is an example of commitment and professionalism. But her departure symbolizes a bigger problem: Barça is losing important players and isn't managing to retain all its talent.
A warning for the club
Jana's farewell is much more than a simple transfer. It's a warning that something isn't working in the management of the squad. If reinforcements don't arrive soon, Women's Barça could see its aspirations for this season compromised.
The fans, meanwhile, watch with concern. Because winning titles is important, but keeping a solid project is even more so.