Hansi Flick Urges Barcelona to Secure More Signings After Rodri Agreement

Barcelona have taken a big step by agreeing to a £65 million transfer for Rodri from Manchester City. Yet, Hansi Flick has made it clear he wants more players brought in to strengthen the squad.

The German coach insists that even with this high-profile signing, the team still needs further reinforcements to compete at the highest level in Europe. Speaking through the club’s internal media, Flick was straightforward: "I think we need a few more players."

Strong Performance Against Basel Highlights Progress and Areas to Improve

Barcelona recently beat Swiss side Basel 5-2 at St. Jakob's Park, a match where key players returned and young talents shone. One standout was Lamine Yamal, who scored a penalty in his first game back after winning the World Cup.

"It was a good test for us; Basel played well," Flick said. "The first half wasn’t as fast as I wanted, both in positioning and off the ball. That’s something to work on. We’ve got potential, and I’m happy with the test."

Despite acknowledging areas needing improvement, Flick praised the squad’s training intensity and quality, which he views as the foundation for growth.

"The most important thing is how we train, the quality and the intensity, and that’s very good," Flick added. "We’ll analyze this match and the training sessions, then focus on our upcoming game."

Managing Player Fitness Ahead of La Liga Opener

With the league opener approaching against Elche on August 23, Flick is cautious about player fitness. Many squad members have only recently returned from breaks, so rotations and substitutions are carefully planned.

"Some players arrived five days ago and we have to prepare for the match against Elche," Flick explained. "We must consider who can start or play the full ninety minutes, and with only five substitutions allowed, these factors guide our choices."

The friendly also gave newcomers a chance to impress. Karim Adeyemi opened the scoring, assisted by Raphinha, while teenage signing Jesse Bisiwu grabbed a late brace off the bench.

Despite positive signs, Flick remains concerned the current squad depth might not be enough for the demands of multiple competitions, reinforcing his call for additional signings alongside Rodri.

Preparing for Joan Gamper Trophy and Final Pre-season Phase

Barcelona now focus on their last pre-season phase, culminating in the prestigious Joan Gamper Trophy match against Egyptian side Al-Ahly. This encounter will be Flick’s last chance to try different tactics before competitive matches begin.