Ansu Fati’s endless nightmare

This summer, during FC Barcelona’s preseason, one man particularly impressed Hansi Flick. It was not Pedri, nor Lamine Yamal or Raphinha, but Ansu Fati. The number 10 of the Blaugrana club was indeed in amazing form, to the point where, internally, some said they were shocked. Back in Catalonia after a rather failed adventure with Brighton, the man who was once considered to be Lionel Messi’s successor was facing the season of redemption. Especially since the context was particularly favorable: a new coach that he had attracted during the summer preparation, and a fairly calm transfer window with no arrivals at his position. The Spanish press was already rubbing its hands…

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Unfortunately, Ansu Fati and his admirers quickly returned to earth. At the end of the preseason, he suffered a foot injury which kept him away from the field for almost 2 months, thus missing his team’s first months of competition. Then, this Wednesday, we learned that an injury to the biceps femoris will still prevent him from playing for at least a month. A new blow for the striker who has only played 158 minutes in all competitions this season, spread over 7 matches…

Back to square one

It must be said that even when he was on the green rectangle, Ansu Fati was not particularly impressive. With 0 goals and 0 assists for the moment, in a team which is performing very well and where the starting offensive players are enjoying themselves, it is difficult to blame Hansi Flick for anything. The German, for example, offered Fati a great opportunity against Sevilla on October 20. A masterclass from Barça, with an offensive festival and a 5-1 victory, but even in this very favorable scenario, the striker failed to show himself and left the pitch in the 76th minute, without pain or glory. It must be said that since this major knee injury in 2020, he no longer raises his head…

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If Barça has always supported its player who caused a sensation at the age of only 16, the 22-year-old striker is logically still losing credit in the eyes of everyone in Barcelona. Third least used player in the squad in La Liga behind Christensen (long injured) and Gavi, who has just returned from a long absence, Ansu Fati was already at the heart of rumors suggesting a departure, with Sevilla FC as his club interested. Rumors of interest in Türkiye have also emerged in Spain in recent days. One thing is certain for the moment, the future of AF10 in Barcelona is getting darker and darker…