Barça Have Five Captains. Flick Has None

Barcelona are beginning pre-season with five captains and nobody ready to take charge of the team. According to AS, Araújo, Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong are dealing with injuries, Ter Stegen is finalising a loan move to Ajax and Pedri will not return from his post-World Cup holiday until 10 August. The armband is ready. Finding someone to wear it is the difficult part.

Andreas Christensen captained the team during the first half of the friendly against CE Europa. After the break, the armband went to Ter Stegen in what may have been his final appearance before leaving. A fitting image: Barcelona were led by the player they are currently trying to send to Amsterdam.

Flick may now have to promote a new group of leaders, with Eric García, Gavi, Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal among the possible candidates. The season has not even started and Barça are already rebuilding the dressing-room hierarchy. Fortunately, the requirements are simple: be fit and avoid negotiating with another club.