The possible signing of Nico Williams may have a 'collateral effect' on the management of the minutes of the FC Barcelona squad by Hansi Flick. At least with regard to players such as Dani Olmo and Fermín López, both decisive for the Blaugrana team the previous season.
With Raphinha as a left winger/attacking midfielder, '16' and '20' alternated prominence as companions of the offensive trident formed by the Brazilian, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski. Dani started the season as a starter, being the star reinforcement of last summer.
Afterwards, Fermín regained ground and both finished the season with a joint production of 20 goals and 17 assists, without being natural strikers. Well, in 25/26, their prominence may be somewhat less, but not their impact in attack thanks to a change of role key to the team.
Fermín and Olmo will fight hand in hand for a place in attack
Understanding that Raphinha and Nico will alternate the left side, without forgetting the possible additional incorporation of Marcus Rashford, both Fermín and Olmo aim to fight hand in hand for a place in the Blaugrana attack.
Both alternated the role of left winger with that of attacking midfielder last season, with the player from Huelva playing the most minutes (2,039') due to some physical problems of '20'.
Now, both the one from Terrassa and the one from Huelva can think about attacking and stepping more into the area as alternatives to Robert Lewandowski. Barça could play several games without a fixed area reference, a task that the Pole will share with Ferran Torres.
And Dani has scored several goals with Spain in 'false 9' duties. Fermín, on the other hand, also shone with La Roja in the last Olympic Games, being the Pichichi of the tournament champion in Paris with 6 goals.
In this way, Hansi Flick will have more options to rearm an attack that was already lethal in 24/25, producing 173 goals in 60 matches. The club, for now, is optimistic about the signing of the youngest of the Williams, although there is still a lot of market ahead.
Deco reaffirms Barça's market plan after the possible signing of Nico
"Nico's thing didn't happen last season, although for me then the operation of Dani Olmo was more of a priority. Both Nico and other players today show a desire to come", explained Deco regarding the possible arrival of the Athletic 'crack'.
In that sense, the Blaugrana sporting director ruled out that the signing of the Basque winger forces Barça to do without one of its stars. On the contrary, the Portuguese leaves the decision of any possible dismissal in the hands of Hansi Flick.
"The coach has to make decisions. As Hansi says: 'decision is job'. The coach is happy, he is in a good vacation spot like Formentera and we are in tune", Deco pointed out. Among the possible casualties, Fermín and Olmo can breathe a sigh of relief for now, as both are untouchable for the club.
- 👉 Don't miss the latest news from the FC Barcelona 2025 transfer market at FCBN!