Deco, Barcelona`s sporting director, shared his thoughts in a conversation with ESPN. He commented on the team`s current atmosphere, stating, “I don`t believe anyone will want to leave this team, considering the positive momentum and the enjoyment the players are experiencing.”
Regarding squad stability, he added, “We have already renewed the majority of contracts; now we need to focus on those remaining. Last year I mentioned we couldn`t afford to lose anyone, and I believe that sentiment still applies. While improvement in the squad is always a possibility, our primary focus must be on consolidating the current group for the upcoming seasons.”
Deco also touched upon perceived dependencies within the team: “We currently find ourselves quite reliant on Raphinha and Lamine. Perhaps we need similar types of players, a solution for when they are unavailable. However, the squad is generally well-balanced, and we have many promising players coming through from the youth ranks.”
Evaluating the season`s performance, he stated, “Being competitive means being able to challenge the top teams. The season slightly surpassed expectations; we held our own against a strong Real Madrid side and were only eliminated from the Champions League by small margins.”
He concluded by reflecting on the season`s objectives: “The goal was to reach the end of the season competing on all fronts. We have already won the Super Cup and the Copa del Rey.”