Lucas Chevalier, Deco's favorite for Barça's goal

Published:23/05/2025 - 08:19h

Updated:23/05/2025 - 08:19h

Barça is already planning the future of its goal. Ter Stegen raises doubts and Lucas Chevalier, jewel of Lille, emerges as Deco's favorite candidate.

In the club that made Víctor Valdés eternal and elevated Ter Stegen to the Blaugrana Olympus, the goal is once again a question mark with a timer. Because in football, as in life, trust is solid... until it ceases to be so. And FC Barcelona has already started looking for who will put on the gloves when the German says goodbye —or simply is not at the expected level.

A silent replacement for a critical position

The physical recovery of Marc-André ter Stegen after his injury has restored normality between the posts, but has not dispelled the doubts. In the Camp Nou offices, there is more uncertainty than tranquility: will the German be the same as before? And for how long?

On the other hand, Laporta made clear FC Barcelona's desire to have Wojciech Szczesny in their squad for next season. The 35-year-old goalkeeper only signed until June 30 and the club prioritizes extending his contract for one more year. The Pole, however, has been cautious when referring to his options of staying in Barcelona.

Faced with this concern, Deco has activated his plan B. The favorite to succeed Ter Stegen is not a veteran, nor an exotic experiment. His name is Lucas Chevalier, he is 23 years old and plays for Lille as if he had been doing it for decades.

His name, which is beginning to resonate strongly in the echoes of the market, has crept into the conversations of the big clubs in Europe... and according to the latest information, into the urgent agenda of Barça.

Chevalier: youth, reflexes and cold blood

The French goalkeeper not only stands out for his numbers in Ligue 1, but for something more intangible: he transmits security. He is tall, agile, brave and —a minor detail— with an uncommon maturity in his generation. In the Catalan club they consider him an ideal profile: young, moldable, but already with the experience to compete.

The idea, according to internal sources, would be to integrate him as a real alternative in the short term and a natural heir in the medium term. Under the tutelage of Ter Stegen, yes, but without chaining him to the bench.

Madrid also lurks: a race against time

Like any well-polished jewel, Chevalier is not alone in the shop window. Real Madrid is also following him closely as a possible replacement for Courtois. The white threat forces Barça to move quickly, if it does not want to turn a strategic operation into an uncomfortable auction.

In parallel, the future of Iñaki Peña remains unresolved and the youth academy could serve as a complement in the rotation. But the intention is clear: the 'culé' goal needs new blood. And in this chessboard, the next move can mark an era.