Despite reports that Barcelona are determined to buy Marcus Rashford permanently, the reality is that Hansi Flick is not 100% convinced.
Barça can activate the purchase option in Rashford’s loan agreement from Manchester United, valued at €30 million, and thus secure the player’s services permanently at Camp Nou.
According to the newspaper AS, Flick admires Rashford’s abilities and acknowledges his positive impact, but for him to stay and for Barcelona to pay such a large sum to acquire him, there are several conditions.
Flick wants Rashford to play a more defensive role. It has become clear on more than one occasion that the England international often neglects his defensive duties, which undermines the German coach’s overall high-pressing philosophy.
The second condition, closely related to the first, is that Rashford must fully understand Barcelona’s system of play, which does not allow for any complacency or even a momentary drop in intensity throughout the match. Finally, Flick believes Rashford needs to develop consistency throughout his time on the pitch. This is a major weakness for the player, who often starts well but then gradually loses his form.
Flick feels Rashford currently has an immediate impact, while the German coach aims to transform him into a more consistent and effective player in team play, particularly in off-the-ball situations.
It’s worth noting that Rashford’s playing time with Barcelona has recently decreased, with only 28 minutes played across the last four matches. This explains Flick’s recent demands for his return to the starting lineup.
