Barça has encountered a problem in the goalkeeping position and Deco knows he has to solve it for the future. With Ter Stegen injured, the performance of Iñaki Peña and Szczęsny hasn't been convincing, which has placed the culer team in a difficult spot. A top-level goalkeeper is needed for the future, and it seems to have been found, and at a scandalous price: 0 euros.
Deco is clear that Barça doesn't have to make a big investment to strengthen the goalkeeping position. The future is in La Masia and the chosen one is none other than Diego Kochen. The 18-year-old American goalkeeper is highly regarded for his abilities and is believed to soon be promoted to the first team. He has grown, is 6 feet 3 inches (1.90 meters) tall, and the prospects for the future are magnificent.
Diego Kochen has a contract with Barça until 2028 and is considered the goalkeeper of the future in La Masia. In this regard, many voices within the club claim he is the best goalkeeper project developed at FC Barcelona since Víctor Valdés. His abilities are magnificent and fit perfectly with what Hansi Flick asks of his goalkeepers.
Deco knows that the goalkeeping position is a problem at Barça and needs to make a move. For now, Iñaki Peña and Szczęsny aren't convincing, with their future in doubt.
Diego Kochen opens the doors of Barça to Iñaki Peña
The situation of Iñaki Peña has become unsustainable and the idea is for him to leave FC Barcelona when the current season ends. He has a contract until 2026 and already knows he isn't in Hansi Flick's plans. It's the ideal time to leave, as he can't afford to spend more time on the sidelines and not being important.
Deco has a plan and it involves convincing Szczęsny to delay his retirement for another season and stay at Barça. For the next season, he intends to have the Pole, Ter Stegen, and Diego Kochen learning from both and building a career with the B team.
He considers it a transition year for Kochen, who could learn a lot from the two veteran goalkeepers to adopt the role of substitute in 2026. After that, the plan is for him to become the successor to a Ter Stegen who doesn't have many years left at the elite level of soccer.