Deco and Hansi Flick’s summer gamble on Andreas Christensen has backfired at the worst time

Writer Parag J Kalita argues that FC Barcelona sporting director Deco and manager Hansi Flick made a critical error by relying on injury-prone defender Andreas Christensen this season. Despite handing the Danish center-back a contract extension through 2028, Christensen has played only six matches after sustaining another injury against Sevilla, leaving the club in a major defensive crisis ahead of El Clasico against Real Madrid.

The author highlights that Barcelona further weakened their central defense by sending Ronald Araujo on loan to Liverpool and selling academy prospect Alvaro Cortes. With injuries also sidelining Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde, Flick has been reduced to fielding just Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin, prompting Kalita to urge Barcelona to sign an elite center-back in the January transfer window.