The moment that has been so eagerly awaited at Barça has arrived. After several months, Hansi Flick has finally been clear and decisive regarding the goalkeeper position and has left Iñaki Peña shaken and sunk. Speaking at the press conference before the match against Alavés, the German didn't hold back: "At this moment, Szczęsny is the number one."
Iñaki Peña already suspected it given Hansi Flick's recent decisions, but he has finally been clear. He was waiting for confirmation before making his decision, and now he has it clear: he will leave Barça.
At 25 years old, he believes he needs to go somewhere where he is valued and an undisputed starter. He understood not being the starter at Barcelona with Ter Stegen, but not with a Szczęsny who doesn't improve his performance.
Iñaki Peña is clear that as long as Hansi Flick is at Barcelona, his future can't be at Camp Nou. That's why, taking advantage of his contract ending on June 30, 2026, he intends to leave. He will do so next summer market, giving his beloved team time to find a replacement.
Right now, he doesn't plan to force any situation, although he knows it's detrimental to his career to stay without playing. It's something he reluctantly accepts because he believes he hasn't lost it on the field. The Alicante native believes he has done enough to be a starter right now, something he won't say publicly or hint at.
Hansi Flick has a plan. Iñaki Peña will say farewell, his replacement will be...
In March, Iñaki Peña will turn 26 years old, he needs to feel important and have playing time, but he knows he won't have it at FC Barcelona. Valued at 10 million euros ($10.7 million) and with a year left on his contract, he hopes they will make it easy for him to leave on a transfer. It will be so, since the Spaniard is also not in Hansi Flick's plans.
Hansi Flick has a plan and hopes to fulfill it. Looking ahead to next summer, Iñaki Peña will fulfill his wish to leave on a transfer, while his place will need a replacement. Despite coming out of retirement on the condition that it would only be for one year, the German coach hopes to convince Szczęsny to renew for another season.
Ter Stegen should be recovered by the start of the next season, and until he returns, the plan would be to use Szczęsny. Hansi Flick is clear: Iñaki Peña wants to leave, he is not in his plans, and he will let him go without problems. Between the German goalkeeper, the Pole, and Diego Kochen, the goal is more than covered.