Barcelona head coach Flick addressed the speculation surrounding Balde’s future ahead of their opening fixture against Elche. While acknowledging the defender’s ability, Flick emphasised the need for total commitment. The German coach stated: “He’s a player of immense quality, and it’s important to know if he’s confident he can compete in his position. That’s what I want to see from all my players. Every day I observe what they do, their level, whether they demonstrate that they’re at the level to play.”
Flick continued to stress the importance of the collective over individual concerns during this period of transition. “Ultimately, we have to play as a team; only then will we achieve success. I need everyone to be one hundred percent,” he added.