With LaLiga already decided, the focus at Barcelona is on future plans in terms of signings, departures, and renewals. One of the issues still to be resolved is that of goalkeeper Szczesny, who arrived as an emergency replacement and has become indispensable. It is a priority for Deco to secure the Polish goalkeeper’s continuity for another year so that he can be the perfect replacement for Ter Stegen.
The goalkeeper started out as a substitute for Iñaki Peña, but he earned his place in the starting line-up by keeping clean sheets and becoming the team’s talisman. Until the defeat against Borussia Dortmund, he had won every game he started. With such a great season behind him, it is no surprise that his renewal is a top priority for Deco.
The sporting director of FC Barcelona has all but confirmed that Polish goalkeeper Tek Szczesny will remain at the club when his contract expires on June 30. “He is a very experienced goalkeeper. When we had the opportunity to sign him, one of those coincidences in football, he had retired and still had a contract with Juventus. We knew he had a lot to offer, but the credit goes to the player and the coach. We do our job and they are the ones who push. We are happy with him and he will surely continue with us,” he admitted.
However, nothing has been finalized yet, and the player has always been very enigmatic in his statements on the matter. After winning the league title, he made a statement making it clear why he was delaying his decision.
His words after the victory against Espanyol that made Barcelona champions made his dilemma clear. “I think if I extend my contract, it will be because I am convinced that I am a guarantee of quality on the bench next season. So I have to decide because this is also a new situation for me. I have to assess whether I am mentally capable of accepting it, of supporting Marc and helping him throughout the season,” he said.
In other words, the player knows what his role would be if he decides to renew and continue as a Barça player. He would be the luxury substitute for a now recovered Ter Stegen, and he does not know if he will be able to cope with that situation, although Hansi Flick would surely give him some competition in the Copa del Rey so that he can enjoy some games, something he has earned.