Barcelona is experiencing a period of changes in its backline. Íñigo Martínez's departure to Saudi Arabia has forced Hansi Flick to reorganize pieces. The German coach has opted for the Pau Cubarsí–Ronald Araújo duo, a young and powerful pair, but one that still needs time and experience to reach its best version.
Flick, who knows how important it is to have a leader at the back, had a clear name on his wish list: Jonathan Tah. The German center-back was, for him, the ideal complement to protect Cubarsí and give a boost in quality to the blaugrana defense.
The dream that got away
Tah was one of Flick's most demanded requests. He wanted him last summer and saw him as a market opportunity, since he was a free agent after finishing his contract with Bayer Leverkusen. Barça came very close to securing him, but the excess of defenders stopped the operation.
Time took an unexpected turn. Months later, Bayern Munich took advantage of the situation and signed the center-back, fulfilling a wish Flick couldn't make happen in Barcelona.
A leader at Bayern
Bayern's bet has quickly paid off. Tah has become an undisputed starter and a key piece in the Bavarian defense. His impact was such that, according to "Sky Sports," the locker room chose him as captain alongside Kimmich, Neuer, and Kane, despite being a newcomer.
In the Club World Cup and the Super Cup, Tah played ahead of Kim Min-Jae, showing his rapid rise in hierarchy.
What Flick saw in him
Hansi Flick valued Tah's international experience, physical strength, and professionalism both on and off the field. He considered him the perfect guide for Cubarsí to grow without having to take on all the defensive pressure at such a young age.
The center-back, meanwhile, has shown a humble yet firm character: "I don't like the word leader. We all have to take responsibility. But of course I like to take initiative and help the team on and off the field," he said during preseason.
A missed opportunity for Barça
For Barcelona, not signing Tah means losing a player who could have provided immediate balance. Flick now has to keep working with what he has, trusting Araújo and Cubarsí to keep growing together.
Meanwhile, Tah shines in Munich and proves he was ready to be that "perfect partner" the German coach envisioned alongside the young homegrown talent.
The market always gives second chances, but this desired signing seems, at least for now, like a story that remained what could have been.