Barcelona: New Barcelona signing Marcus Rashford is set to make his home debut on Sunday in a friendly against Como, ahead of the La Liga season. However, Rashford’s transition to Barcelona has been anything but smooth.
According to BBC, Rashford’s first two weeks at the club have been overshadowed by a series of controversies, particularly surrounding club captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Ter Stegen, a Barcelona legend with over 400 appearances, has faced multiple injuries, playing only nine games last season. The summer signing of Joan Garcia from Espanyol suggests the club is preparing to replace him. Attempts to sell Ter Stegen were thwarted when he underwent surgery for a back problem, complicating Barcelona’s financial situation and affecting the registration of new signings, including Rashford and Garcia.
Barcelona is currently barred by La Liga from registering new signings due to financial constraints. The sale of Ter Stegen could have resolved this, but his surgery made a summer sale impossible. In response, Barcelona attempted to de-register Ter Stegen until January, a move he resisted. This led to disciplinary actions against him and the temporary stripping of his captaincy. Eventually, Ter Stegen agreed to the club’s terms, regained his captaincy, and is expected to be sold in January, potentially facilitating Rashford’s registration for the league opener against Mallorca.
The club’s ongoing issues are further compounded by the delayed reconstruction of the Nou Camp. Barcelona has been playing at the Olympic Stadium while their home undergoes a £1bn redevelopment. The Nou Camp’s reopening has been repeatedly postponed, with the upcoming friendly against Como now relocated to the Johan Cruyff Stadium due to incomplete construction. Local authorities have permitted 27,000 fans for the Valencia match in September, contingent on construction completion.
On the field, Rashford has impressed during Barcelona’s summer tour in Asia, notably in a victory over Vissel Kobe. An injury to striker Robert Lewandowski has opened up opportunities for Rashford to secure a key role in the team. Competing with Ferran Torres for the centre-forward position, Rashford is poised to play against Como and possibly start in the Mallorca match, showcasing his skills to coach Hansi Flick.
Despite the chaos, Rashford has managed to stay under the radar, a relief after the intense scrutiny he faced in England. As Barcelona continues to navigate its off-field challenges, Rashford remains focused on making his mark on the pitch.