No one expected the radical change that Women's Barça has undergone during this summer transfer window. With just a few days left before the summer period ends, it seems the squad is becoming defined for the next season... it's doing so with a move that has surprised both insiders and outsiders.
In the last few hours, "SPORT" has discovered that, in addition to those already known, there will be one more last-minute departure. This time, the one who will pack her bags, but with plans to return in a year, is the young Polish player Emilka Szymczak.
She is expected to leave on loan to Liverpool, which intends to keep making progress with its women's team. She has received several offers this summer, including from teams like Roma or Wolfsburg, but it seems her next destination will finally be in England.
A clear reason
Unlike other moves that have already happened, Emilka Szymczak's departure has a sporting component. She isn't leaving for financial reasons, but with the idea of getting playing time and experience in a more significant context.
This way, the Polish player is expected to pack her bags in the coming hours, heading to a destination where she can be more important. She is a high-quality midfielder, occupying precisely one of the best-filled positions at Can Barça.
Thus, at Liverpool she will be able to feel important and will get the minutes she needs to grow at 19.
Long list of departures
Szymczak's departure is the eighth this summer. Previously, Engen, Roebruck, Rolfo, Bruna Vilamala, Martina Fernández, Jana, and Lucía Corrales left. With all these departures, Women's Barça's squad is reduced to just 16 players. This is an alarming number for a team aiming to win everything.
The most concerning thing is that there are no signings in sight. The departures aren't being offset by new additions, and this is starting to raise alarms. The season is long, the competitions are demanding, and rotation is key to avoiding injuries and fatigue.
The coach, Pere Romeu, finds himself in a complicated situation. Losing key players 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 in the Champions League, Liga F, Copa de la Reina, and Supercopa, the demands are extremely high...