FC Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen was carried off the pitch on a stretcher in their 5-1 away win at Villarreal CF at the weekend. The injury will effectively end his season which leaves Barca with a decision to make as to who they play in goal. We explore their options, including which free agents they could sign on an emergency deal.
FC Barcelona Faced With Demanding Decision Over Goalkeeper Position
A Devastating Blow For Fans
When Ter Stegen fell awkwardly after routinely collecting a cross, the players around him knew almost instantly that this was a serious injury. Namely, Villarreal’s Yeremy Pino who turned around with his hands on his head when he saw the German’s knee. An action that was surely mirrored by thousands of Barca fans worldwide.
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It has been confirmed by the club that Ter Stegen has ruptured his patella tendon. Whilst no official length of time has been announced, an injury of this magnitude can take several months to heal before a player can return to the pitch. This will all but leave Los Culers without their star shot-stopper for the rest of the season.
In a campaign that has started so brightly, they will need all positions on the pitch to be filled with world class players if they want to go all the way and win La Liga. Last time they did win the league, back in the 2022/23 season, the German played a vital role – only conceding 20 goals and keeping a record 26 clean sheets in the process.
Ex-La Liga Keepers On Free Agent Shortlist
As the dust settles from this traumatic incident, and the news filters in of a successful surgery, our thoughts can now turn to who will be Hansi Flick’s number one keeper for the foreseeable future. The first port of call is to prepare for the midweek fixture against Getafe CF. We can expect second choice goalie, Iñaki Peña, to start this game. But his role as Ter Stegen’s season long replacement will be in doubt following some shaky performances in the 2023/24 campaign.
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This may prompt president, Joan Laporta, to enter football’s limbo – the world of free agents. Looking at the list provided by transfermarkt.com, the stand out name would be Keylor Navas. Although, at 37-years-old and a former Real Madrid player, it’s unlikely the Costa Rican would move to the Catalans. Jordi Masip and Tomas Vaclik also provide quality La Liga experience among the free agents so could be brought in to help share the load with Peña.
Winter Window Or Club Legend?
If the club can find any money from somewhere, they may be tempted to wait until the January transfer window to bring in a keeper of a higher caliber. Especially if they do decide to give Iñaki Peña a chance and he doesn’t live up to the expectation.
One of La Liga’s best performing goalkeepers last season could provide the perfect solution, especially given the tense situation at his club. Álvaro Valles tried to force a move away from Las Palmas in the summer and after an unsuccessful attempt, now finds himself still in the Canary Islands but not playing any football.
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It would be an option that wouldn’t stretch Barcelona’s already scarce resources, but would provide the quality that they need in order to be lifting the La Liga trophy come May.
They also have the option to bring back club legend, Claudio Bravo, after he said he would come out of retirement to play for Barca for the rest of the campaign. As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the 41-year-old said “If Barcelona want me, I will be ready to come out of retirement”.
Learning From Their Rivals’ Mistakes?
When Thibaut Courtois tore his ACL last year, Real Madrid had the “fortune” that it was in pre-season, giving them time to buy a replacement before the transfer window closed. However, six games into the season, Barcelona don’t have that luxury available to them, as they look to decide what to do about their vacant goalkeeper spot.
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Madrid opted to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan but ended up sticking with much-doubted understudy, Andriy Lunin, instead. Perhaps this is a lesson that Joan Laporta can learn from his El Clásico rivals. That instead of jumping the gun and signing another keeper for the sake of it, they should put trust in Iñaki Peña and provide him with all the support he needs to fill the big gloves of Ter Stegen. Much like Carlo Ancelotti did with Lunin.
