Garcia duo, Gordon and Gavi make early Barcelona training return

Four FC Barcelona players have reported back for pre-season training earlier than expected, despite the first-team squad being given Sunday off by manager Hansi Flick.

Eric Garcia, Joan Garcia, Anthony Gordon and Gavi all returned to the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper ahead of schedule, in an early boost for Flick as preparations for the new season continue.

The players had been expected to remain away from the training ground on Sunday after FC Barcelona’s involvement in a three-team friendly tournament in Udine on Saturday. However, Eric Garcia and Joan Garcia were both back for their first training sessions of the new campaign, several days earlier than originally planned.

Their return had been scheduled for next Wednesday, according to Mundo Deportivo. Instead, the two defenders chose to begin their work sooner, joining the preparations despite the squad’s agreed day of rest.

Gordon was another player to make an early appearance at the training complex. The England international also returned before the date that had been set for him, adding to the number of players already working ahead of the new season.

Gavi had reported back even earlier. He has been training since last Thursday, six days before the date originally scheduled for his return.

The early arrivals came after FC Barcelona missed out on the Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup in Udine. The Catalan side were beaten 1-0 by Udinese in the three-team tournament and were unable to finish as winners.

The tournament formed part of the club’s pre-season preparations, but the defeat meant FC Barcelona ended the event without lifting the trophy. The team’s next phase of work now continues at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, with Flick overseeing preparations for the new campaign.

Although the squad had been authorised to take Sunday as a rest day, the early returns by Eric Garcia, Joan Garcia and Gordon gave Flick additional players available for training. Gavi’s earlier arrival means he has already spent several days working with the team before the other three players came back.

The decision by the four players to return ahead of schedule was the main development at FC Barcelona on Sunday. Their presence provided an unexpected change to a day that had otherwise been set aside for rest following the team’s appearance in Udine.