Barca's Flick calls for more loyalty after Dro exit reports
Barcelona's German coach Hans-Dieter Flick attends a press conference at Stamford Bridge in London on November 24, 2025, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League league phase football match against Chelsea. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)
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Barcelona coach Hansi Flick showed his disappointment on Saturday after reports that talented teenager Dro Fernandez is poised to leave the club and said youngsters needed to "live for" the club's colours.
The 18-year-old has a six million euro ($7 million) release
clause in his contract and Spanish media reported he told the club this week he
plans to depart in January rather than renewing his contract.
Flick said he did not want to speak about the issue but
indicated he thought people advising the player were blame for his decision,
with Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund among teams linked to Dro.
"I don't want to answer... as a coach you give a lot of
energy to the players, you give them the confidence, you believe in them, you
help them to grow and improve of course," said Flick.
"But then there are people around this player. I want
to wait until it's done. If they say 'now I go to another club', then ask me
again. But not now."
Barcelona's La Masia academy is considered the best in the
world and a string of stars have emerged from it to form part of the current
squad, including Spain internationals Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi.
Flick issued a thinly-veiled message to Dro, who has played
eight times for the club, and other youngsters who may have their heads turned
in the future.
"What I want to say to the young players from La Masia,
is we are Barca and one of the best teams in the world," continued the
coach.
"We give them the opportunity to train with us, to
grow, every day, with the best players in the world. We give them the
opportunity, we give them the support, believe in them, the confidence.
"If you want to play for Barca, then (do it) 100
percent with your whole heart. This is what I want to say to everyone who is
now with us, or in the future with us, this must be 100 percent.
"These colours, you have to live for them, this is what
I want to see. All the others I don't want, this is what I can say."
The German coach suggested Dro, whom he handed his debut in
September, would be making a mistake by leaving Barca.
"Sometimes you do not agree with what they are doing,
but they are 18, they are old enough to make the decisions, they have people
around them... now I don't want to talk more, it's enough," added Flick.
Flick said no decision had been taken over whether the club
would make Marcus Rashford's loan from Manchester United permanent in the
summer.
The England international has impressed this season on
Barca's left flank after being frozen out at Old Trafford.
"(Sporting director) Deco and I always speak about our
team, what we can do... Marcus's performances have been really good until now,
but we have to manage it, it's Deco's job and the club's job to do things for
next season, but we have to wait," said Flick.
"We have more time, many months, many days, many weeks,
it's like that."
Another player linked with an exit from Barca is goalkeeper
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has fallen behind Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny
in the pecking order.
The veteran German is poised to go on loan to neighbours
Girona until the end of the season.
"It's Marc's decision... he's our captain, he's an idol
of this club over the last 10, 12 years, it's his decision, we'll accept what
he wants," said Flick.
La Liga leaders Barcelona visit Real Sociedad on Sunday and
Flick said winger Raphinha was a doubt for the game with a knock, after the
Brazilian did not train with his team-mates on Saturday.

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