As in every February, FC Barcelona's technical secretariat is already working on the squad planning for the next season.
The Goalkeeping Position Is the Hot Potato for Deco. Decisions need to be made, and Deco and Flick have already made them. Ter Stegen is informed of everything.
Ter Stegen Knows Everything
The German goalkeeper is expected for the start of the next season. The recovery is going full steam ahead, and Flick trusts to have him at his disposal in the preseason.
Ter Stegen's recovery will mean his return to Barça's starting goalkeeper position. He will turn 33 in April, he is at the best age for a goalkeeper, and he is expected to perform at the highest level for four more years.
During that time, if injuries do not prevent it, he is guaranteed Barça's starting position. This is the wish of Hansi Flick, who trusts him blindly.
This summer Iñaki Peña will leave the club, and Szczęsny, about to turn 35, will renew for one more season, although now to play the role of a substitute.
Barça Bets on Kochen as Ter Stegen's Successor
For the following season, the Polish goalkeeper would leave the club, and the alternative as Ter Stegen's substitute would be given to who will be the third goalkeeper next season: Diego Kochen.
The idea is to prepare the current Barça Atlètic goalkeeper to be Ter Stegen's successor. He is now 18 years old and will be groomed to be Barça's starting goalkeeper at 22 or 23 years old, when Ter Stegen approaches retirement... or his departure from Barça.
Kochen is currently the starting goalkeeper for Barça Atlètic. He is the youth academy goalkeeper with the strongest case to be part of the first team.
Born in Miami, he traveled to the American tour and has trained numerous times with the first team. And he has passed Hansi Flick's test.
Kochen joined Barça at 11 years old and was already the third goalkeeper 10 times in matches during Xavi's era. Now that honor belongs to Astrálaga, but the future is his.