Fermín López: Substitute for Hansi Flick at the start of 25/26?

The midfield, without a doubt, will be the area of the field with the largest number of players for Hansi Flick in 2025/26. At the moment, the FC Barcelona squad has seven players for this demarcation, although Dani Olmo is usually considered more of an attacking midfielder/winger due to his offensive vocation.

After the Asian tour, one of those who starts as a substitute is Fermín López. The 22-year-old player played 46 games (22 as a starter) the previous year, adding 8 goals and 10 assists in 2,039 minutes of action.

However, with the return of Marc Bernal and the great moment of Pablo Gavi, the '16' may have few opportunities in the season that begins on August 16. Hansi Flick counts 100% on him, but he will have to rearrange his 'puzzle' in the midfield to be able to distribute minutes equitably and guarantee a leading role to the one from El Campillo.

The Asian tour leaves Fermín López 'touched'

The player from Huelva started the expedition in Japan as a starter against Vissel Kobe. That day, although he was not as incisive in attack as an attacking midfielder, he only missed a couple of passes in 18 attempts. The negative thing is that he barely won a couple of individual duels (he lost three) and finished the first half without shots on goal or created opportunities.

Afterwards, against FC Seoul, he entered for Dani Olmo after the break. That day he was much more participatory, with a couple of passes in the last third, an effectiveness of 80% (32 of 40) and a shot on goal. Against Daegu he was out, along with Iñigo Martínez, due to physical discomfort.

Although Fermín returned without a confirmed injury, he was clearly the offensive midfielder with the least impact on the Barça attack. Olmo gave a couple of assists, while Gavi was Pichichi with 3 goals and another goal pass.

Fermín, will he be a starter or a fixed substitute in 25/26?

Precisely, the irruption of the Andalusian is what can compromise López's prominence the most in the initial stretch of 25/26. The '6' can be the first alternative to Pedri González and/or Frenkie de Jong as a pivot/inside/creative midfielder, as well as to Dani Olmo and/or Raphinha as an attacking midfielder/left winger.

During 24/25, the one from Huelva alternated his role with Olmo, but the presence of Marcus Rashford as a left winger forces Raphinha himself to maintain a very high level so as not to see his starting position compromised. Roony Bardghji himself, who also scored a goal on the tour, is shaping up as a substitute for Lamine Yamal on the right side.

As things stand, Fermín López, like Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal, will have much more competition to enter the Barça starting eleven in the season that is about to begin.

Hansi Flick, meanwhile, is rubbing his hands together, waiting for an authentic internal 'war' for the starting position that will help improve the collective level of a squad, line by line, full of quality. But the '16', like Casaó and Bernal, seem destined to start the season on the bench.