Flick Shows Casadó and Fort the Door. Both Left Out of the Gamper Squad
The Joan Gamper Trophy was supposed to present the new Barcelona to the supporters. It did exactly that. Hansi Flick also used the occasion to produce a fairly clear list of players who are unlikely to have a place in it.
Marc Casadó and Héctor Fort were both left out of the squad for Barcelona’s final friendly before the start of the season. “Mundo Deportivo” reported directly that Flick omitted them because neither player features in his plans. This was not a case of rest or minor fitness problems. The message was difficult to misunderstand.
Casadó and Fort had already been excluded from the squad that faced FC Basel. A few days earlier, Cadena SER reported that the pair were training separately from the group. Barcelona reportedly wanted to reduce the risk of an injury that could complicate their departures. No price labels were attached, but the merchandise was being carefully protected before shipment.
Casadó’s position is particularly striking. Not long ago, the La Masia graduate was competing for a regular place and being presented as another example of the academy’s success. Barcelona’s midfield has since become heavily crowded, while Rodri’s arrival has left Casadó with almost no realistic route to consistent minutes.
Saudi clubs have reportedly shown an interest in the midfielder, although Casadó would prefer to continue his career in European football. His representatives are searching for a suitable destination while Barcelona hope his departure can generate a useful transfer fee.
Fort has received an equally clear signal. After returning from his loan spell at Elche, the right-back failed to convince Flick that he should remain with the first team. Borussia Dortmund and Premier League clubs have been mentioned as possible destinations, but no transfer has been completed.
Barcelona’s lineup against Al Ahly made the situation even more obvious. Flick selected Xavi Espart alongside Marc Bernal in midfield and handed Hamza Abdelkarim the centre-forward role. Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon were among the substitutes. There was still no room for Casadó or Fort.
Rodri and João Cancelo, whose return had not yet been made official when the lineup was announced, watched from the stands. The difference was simple. They were waiting to enter Barcelona’s new project. Casadó and Fort increasingly look like players waiting to leave it.
Barcelona have not formally announced that either player must go. At this point, they hardly need to. Separate training, two consecutive omissions and younger players taking their places have delivered the message clearly enough.
