FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick said Alejandro Balde must improve his performances if he wants to remain at the club [1].
The warning comes at a critical juncture for the young defender, as his ability to secure a long-term role in the squad now depends on his immediate output on the pitch.
Flick said this during a pre-match media briefing in Barcelona ahead of a league game against Athletic Club [3]. The coach addressed the status of the left-back, noting that while Balde has indicated a desire to stay with the team, that ambition must be matched by a higher level of play [1, 2].
This public directive suggests a shift in how the coaching staff views the player's current trajectory. While some reports suggest the coach is happy to keep Balde around [4], the primary directive remains that the player needs to raise his standard to earn his place in the lineup [1, 2].
Balde has been a fixture in the squad, but the pressure to perform is intensifying under Flick's leadership. The coach said that the path to remaining at the club is tied directly to the player's development, and consistency during matches [1, 2].
Flick's comments highlight the competitive nature of the current roster. By making these requirements public, the coach has placed the responsibility for the player's future squarely on the player's own shoulders [1, 2].
“Alejandro Balde must improve his performances if he wants to remain at Barcelona”
Flick's public ultimatum indicates a transition toward a meritocracy-based squad selection. By explicitly linking Balde's tenure to his performance, the coach is signaling that previous potential or club status will no longer guarantee a starting position or a contract extension.
