Barcelona Withdraws from Joshua Kimmich Pursuit as Marc Casado Shines
Hansi Flick took over as Barcelona's coach at the beginning of the 2024-25 season during a challenging period for the club. He quickly recognized the importance of integrating young talent from La Masia, specifically Casado and fellow midfielder Marc Bernal.
Barcelona has made a significant shift in its transfer strategy by pulling out of the race for Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich. This decision comes in light of the rapid rise of young midfielder Marc Casado, who has impressed under the management of Hansi Flick.
What Prompted the Decision?
Casado has emerged as a key figure for Barcelona following his standout performances as a holding midfielder. His composure and tactical awareness have drawn praise, leading the club to prioritize his development over pursuing Kimmich. Reports from El Nacional indicate that Barcelona’s management now believes in Casado's potential to fill the midfield role, especially as he has demonstrated his capabilities in the wake of injuries to established players like Gavi and Frenkie de Jong.
The Bigger Picture
Hansi Flick took over as Barcelona's coach at the beginning of the 2024-25 season during a challenging period for the club. He quickly recognized the importance of integrating young talent from La Masia, specifically Casado and fellow midfielder Marc Bernal. While Bernal was initially favored for a starting spot, a long-term injury paved the way for Casado to step into the limelight.
Barcelona had shown keen interest in acquiring Kimmich over the summer, with the German international hinting at the possibility of a move due to his contract expiring in June 2025. However, the club's newfound confidence in Casado has led them to focus their efforts on nurturing homegrown talent instead.
Fun Fact
Despite his technical skills and vision on the pitch, Casado has yet to score a goal for either Barcelona's first team or their reserve side, Barcelona B. This underlines the potential for growth in his game as he continues to develop his role in midfield.
What's Next for Kimmich and Casado?
Both Kimmich and Casado will be in action this weekend. Bayern Munich will face Union Berlin, currently sitting in fourth place in the Bundesliga, while Barcelona is set to take on rivals Espanyol at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Sunday. With Barcelona shifting its focus to Casado, it will be interesting to see how both players perform and what the future holds for Kimmich at Bayern Munich.
