“They are improving” - Hansi Flick explains how Toni and Guille Fernández can replace Dani Olmo at Barcelona

Barcelona head into their Champions League debut against Monaco on Thursday without their big summer signing in Dani Olmo, who will miss the next month of action after suffering a hamstring injury against Girona.

Olmo had made a dream start to life back at Barça, scoring in his first three games and looking like a perfect fit for Hansi Flick’s system. But the Spanish international is gone for now, and the coach will once again have to find a replacement for an injured player in his starting XI — which has sadly been a very regular occurrence to start Barça’s season.

Flick has not been shy about looking at La Masia for options to replace his injured stars, so the fact he called up 16-year-old cousins and academy standouts Guille and Toni Fernández for Thursday’s clash against Monaco was not really a surprise despite the two attacking midfielders’ age.

Hansi was asked in a press conference on Wednesday about Guille and Toni, and how they can help replace the production and quality that Olmo brings to the side.

“It’s always difficult to find a replacement for a player. Dani has quality, he can score goals, his passing, his recovery and his confidence on the ball. We have to accept [his absence] and I will try to get someone else to play so we can continue to play at the same level. We did that in the last two games.

“When we have [such] a situation we have to accept everything that comes and follow what the club says. They can be proud of the work of La Masia and how many La Masia players are in our team. We have the two cousins, two 16-year-old players. Speaking about the last training session, I can say that they are ready for the next step and to increase their performance. This is our objective. We have to continue like this.

“They are improving. It is impressive how La Masia makes the players develop. When we need a player from La Masia we know that they have quality, that they are at the [right] level. Toni and Guille are at every training session and they are doing very well. I have no doubt that they will play very well.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo

It doesn’t sound as though Flick is only taking the two Fernández for a trip to France. He’s willing to play them if they are needed, and those who follow La Masia closely know those two, and especially Guille, have a special quality and can have a real impact right now.

Don’t be shocked if you see Guille or Tony, or even both, in action very soon.