Barcelona’s Brian Farinas earns first-team place after impressing Hansi Flick

Brian Farinas has gone from being on the verge of joining Girona to becoming a Barcelona first-team player after impressing Hansi Flick in a single pre-season training session.

Barcelona’s players began their preparations on Monday, 13 July, when they were invited to undergo medical examinations. Farinas was among those present, although at that stage his future appeared to lie away from the club.

Barcelona and Girona were close to reaching an agreement over a transfer worth €3m, with Farinas expected to leave before having the opportunity to work with the first team.

That changed the following day, when Barcelona held their first training session under manager Flick. The German coach was reportedly impressed by what he saw from Farinas and spoke to sporting director Deco, asking him to halt negotiations with Girona, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.

Flick wanted to assess the player over the remainder of pre-season and, in particular, take him to the club’s training camp in England before making a final decision on his future.

Farinas subsequently convinced the manager that he deserved a chance. Rather than simply cancelling his proposed move to Girona, Flick opted to promote the 20-year-old into Barcelona’s first-team squad.

The midfielder was registered as a first-team player last Tuesday, the final day of the transfer window, and was given the number four shirt. That number was worn by Ronald Araujo during the previous season.

Flick has spoken positively about Farinas’ attitude and character, saying on one occasion: “He is a committed and very talented player.”

The manager is also understood to value the player’s versatility. Farinas’ main position is defensive midfield, but he can also operate as an attacking midfielder and has the ability to play at full-back.

Competition for places in Barcelona’s midfield remains intense, and Farinas is aware of the scale of the challenge ahead. However, he is ready to compete for his opportunity, while earning a place in the first-team squad is already a significant reward after his expected departure appeared imminent.

Farinas joined Barcelona in 2018 after developing in Villarreal’s academy. He later helped Barcelona win the UEFA Youth League and continued his progress with the club’s reserve side.

During the previous season, he made 33 appearances for Barcelona’s second team, scoring five goals and providing seven assists. Those performances, combined with his showing in the first training session under Flick, ultimately changed the direction of his career.

Instead of completing a move to Girona for €3m, Farinas now has the chance to establish himself within Barcelona’s senior squad under Flick.