Flick is taking everyone. Even the players Barça want gone

Hansi Flick will not make his first squad cuts before Barcelona’s training camp in England. According to Barça Universal, citing Mundo Deportivo, every available first-team player is expected to travel to St George’s Park – including those the club have spent weeks trying to move elsewhere.

Officially, the decision is about professionalism and the absence of several internationals who are still recovering from the World Cup. In practice, Flick will be coaching players while Barcelona simultaneously look for their next employers. At Barça, you can be part of the squad, available for transfer and emergency injury cover all on the same afternoon.

The camp will run from 27 July until 3 August, with friendlies against Birmingham City and Preston North End. Flick already knows the core of the team he wants, but he is refusing to publicly discard anyone just yet. The players must continue training, remain fully committed and pretend their agents are not receiving calls every fifteen minutes.

Barcelona are still looking for a centre-forward and considering another defensive signing, even though the existing squad already needs trimming. Everyone will have a place on the trip. Some in the team, some on the bus and a few only in Deco’s transfer listings.