These have not been easy days for Marc-André Ter Stegen. The FC Barcelona goalkeeper has had one of the toughest seasons of his career. The injury that kept him off the pitch for months was a heavy blow from which he recovered in time for the end of the season. He made his comeback quietly and patiently, with Szczesny in goal. He is now facing all the rumors linking Joan García with a move to Barça and suggesting that he is up for sale with the same attitude.
A serious injury
The season got off to a very bad start for the goalkeeper, who has had to endure one of his worst moments at Barça. The German goalkeeper was injured on September 22 in the league match against Villarreal and had to undergo surgery after being diagnosed with a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. The operation was initially expected to keep him off the pitch for the entire season. However, he managed to rush his recovery and was back in time for the final stretch of the competition, when the team was still in contention for titles. However, he had to wait patiently for these to be secured before regaining his place in the starting line-up.
A departure that looks complicated
In recent days, with Barça’s interest in signing Joan García, there has been speculation about the possibility of Ter Stegen leaving. Specifically, according to RAC-1, Laporta told the board that they are confident Joan García will sign and said for the first time that they want to part ways with the German goalkeeper. It will not be an easy task to offload the established goalkeeper, as he still has three years left on his contract and commands a high salary that few teams can afford. In addition, the player does not want to leave and is willing to fight for his place in the starting line-up.
Nagelsmann supports his number 1
Amid the controversy, Germany’s national coach, Nagelsmann, had a few words for the goalkeeper. “He will be number one. I am convinced that he will have two great games. He’s training well, even though he hasn’t played much,“ he said, showing full confidence in the goalkeeper’s performance despite his limited playing time this season. ”I’ve spoken to Hansi Flick, but certainly not about Barcelona’s transfer plans. I’ve read that he’s a possible candidate for sale, but that’s not my job.”
Ter Stegen speaks clearly
At a press conference held at the German national team’s training camp, Ter Stegen made it clear that his future lies nowhere else but FC Barcelona. “No one at the club has spoken to me about this possibility. I’m not worried at all because I know that next season I’ll be at Barcelona,” said the German goalkeeper during his appearance before the media. Barça is one of the biggest clubs in the world and competition is normal. For me, the situation hasn’t changed at all,“ he said.
”I always want to give my all and be on the pitch, and I’ll do everything I can to achieve that in the future and as long as I continue playing,“ added the German. ”I’m really looking forward to next season. I think we can achieve a lot because we’ve learned a lot and the team has more experience.”
He refused to comment on Joan García and was categorical. “As far as I know, next season it will just be Iñaki and me as goalkeepers, so the competition will be between us. If a new player arrives, he will face the same competition; that’s the nature of playing for a big club. We’ve always had strong goalkeepers,” he concluded.