The future of several FC Barcelona players is in doubt. Joan Laporta and Hansi Flick are focusing on Robert Lewandowski. Despite being the team's top scorer, his performance has raised doubts and questions about his continuity.
The Drop in His Performance
Since his arrival at Barça in the summer of 2022, Robert Lewandowski stood out as a key player. In his first season, he contributed with 23 goals to win the League.
However, in the second half of that campaign, his level of play dropped. The same happened last season, where his performance was inconsistent. Although he started the current season strong, his performance has dropped considerably in recent months.
In the first eleven matches, he scored 14 goals, but in the next eight, he only scored two, against Celta and Betis. This contrast has raised concerns.
The latest example was the match against Atlético de Madrid. With the score at 1-1, Lewandowski had a clear goal opportunity but missed.
This error, like other recent ones, shows a lack of effectiveness in a player used to scoring in similar situations. For a scorer of his caliber, these failures are very concerning.
The Challenge of His Age
One of the main reasons for this poor performance could be his age. Lewandowski is 36 years old, which already poses a challenge in terms of physicality and endurance. As the years go by, the ability to maintain the level of play decreases, especially in a team like Barça, which demands a high level of constant pressure.
Hansi Flick, upon his arrival at Barça, already warned him that he needed to better adapt to the demands of the blaugrana system. On several occasions, the German coach has decided to leave him on the bench, something that is not usual for a player of his level.
The Pressure of Salary
Besides performance issues, Lewandowski's high salary also comes into play. According to reports, the forward earns more than 30 million euros gross per year, being one of the highest-paid players at the club.
This high cost is not justified if his performance is not up to par. Additionally, his contract is conditioned on playing a high percentage of the matches this season, which puts him under more pressure.
What Does the Future Hold?
Although he remains the team's top scorer, Lewandowski's future at Barça is full of uncertainty. His age, performance, and high salary have caused an internal debate.
Despite being a key player in the past, Barça might have to reconsider his future if he doesn't manage to regain his best form. Lewandowski's situation, beyond his goals, will be one of the key points in the coming months.