Source: Live broadcast
In an interview with the World Sports Journal, DeCo talked about several key players in Frick’s defeat of Barcelona.Besides confirming that the club regards Frankie De Jong as the "cornerstone of the plan" and is optimistic that this player will renew his contract, he also talked about the contracts of many other players-especially those Barcelona players whose contracts expire this summer or attract the interest of other teams.
Deco also talked about his future and expressed his views on the controversy between Yamal’s skull injury and the Spanish Football Association, even referring to Vitor Rock, a player who has left Barcelona and now scores quite well in Brazil.
Q: When it comes to Barca’s signing this summer, why would the team choose a player who has just recovered from a serious injury?
A： We've been paying attention to Baldeji for a long time. If there were suitable candidates in our own youth training, we wouldn't have gone to the transfer market to "find someone". But our decision is based on professional judgment, not emotion.
We are willing to give youth players opportunities, as we did with Dro Fernandez, but choosing him was not a spur of the moment.We followed his performance for a long time, saw him score a great goal in Monaco, and communicated with the broker, and everyone was very patient.
Enabling youth training players, it’s not that one morning they wake up and suddenly shoot their head: “Today should be a kid with Ramasia.” This requires a preliminary mattress, not a coincidence. We first assessed the existing lineup: Danny-Rodriguez could have played that position, but he was injured, and the technical characteristics were different from Baldwin.
Baldeji is more like Yamal and is good at inside cutting and fitting. After communicating with the head coach, we confirmed that we needed to supplement young players in that position. Although our long-term target only came back from injury in March and didn't play much, his talent is really outstanding and it is a good signing opportunity. We are very familiar with his agent, and the soon expiration of his contract makes the operation easier, not to mention that he is only 19 years old and has a bright future.
Q: Did Barcelona consider selling Ferguson in August?
A： It is impossible.Selling Fermin will weaken the team.It can be discussed unless he initially proposes to leave, but this has never happened.
Q: Has Casado also received an offer and has he been placed on the transfer market?
A： This situation only happens to players like Fati, Romeiu, Langley, and Torre. These are all decisions at the competitive level. If an offer comes in and the players themselves hesitate, we are willing to talk, but this is not the case for Casado.
Q: Did Conte renew his contract during the transfer window, and did Manchester City pursue him?
A： No, we haven't received an offer. City were indeed looking for full-backs and asked Conte if he could sell them, but there was no formal offer or negotiation. I used to deal with Begiristan and now I work with my friend Hugo Viana, and communication has always been direct and smooth.
Q: Why did Iñigo-Martinez leave for free? he would have gone to Saudi Arabia in exchange for a good transfer fee.
A： In the first place, Inigo was a role model in all aspects, an outstanding professional player, and contributed a lot last season. He was also very patient when registering and was one of the last players to complete registration.
Considering that he is a free member and contributes a lot, now asking for a transfer fee, it feels a little disrespectful to people.If he is younger and the core of the plan, maybe we will try to keep him, but he told the head coach that he got a very good opportunity. Christensen also talked a few weeks ago that a situation similar to Inigo could have happened, but there is nothing to blame.
Q: Eric-Garcia’s contract expires in 2026 and he’s already a key player in the head coach’s hands, what’s going on with the renewal?
A： I'm talking.
Q: Are you optimistic?
A： We hope to maintain a salary system that is in line with the market. Now the salary level is reasonable in the European hockey. The club will make an offer, and then the players and the brokers will decide together.
Q: Christensen’s contract also expires in 2026, and he has made it clear he wants to stay at Barcelona.
A： For Christensen, we took a step-by-step approach. His first season was amazing, and the impact of his injury was great. We need to look at his performance this season and discuss it again. He is a top player, and there is no need to deal with all the renewals in October.
Q: Ferran Torres' contract will not expire until 2028, but he has made rapid progress recently. Have you considered renewing his contract in advance?
A： Ferran has made great contributions to the team, not only on the field, but also in the locker room. It's too early to talk about contract renewal now, and it will be handled naturally when the time is right.
Q: Levan will end his contract next summer, and he himself has accepted that this may be his last season.
A： Don't be so compared... Levan is the best striker in my heart in recent years, and he is an all-round phenomenal example. Except Cristiano Ronaldo, few players can reach his level. His training culture, rigorous attitude and professionalism are all worthy of respect. Because of this, we need to go step by step instead of openly discussing this matter. He is smart enough to know to talk at the right time.
Q: Do you see Fernando Torres as the main midfielder?
A： He is developing in the direction of the midfielder.Most of his goals reflect the characteristics of the midfielder.
Q: After Inigo left, there was a lack of left-legged midfielder in the team, do you consider introducing it?
A： A good central defender is very important. If it's the left foot, that's better. But Eric can play multiple positions, and so can Paul Kubalsi. If I meet the right candidate in the future, I will consider it, but this is not an obsession, and now is not the time to discuss it.
Q: It's time for the national team again. Last time because of the Spanish Football Association's somewhat unpleasant way of dealing with Yamal, Frick publicly complained that he wasn't properly cared for.
A： There are no contradictions. We should take this opportunity to improve, rather than keep hyping up controversy. The Spanish national team is important to Barcelona, and so is Barcelona to the national team. We have a lot of players selected, which shows that we are doing a good job. It is the pride of a world-class team to have many internationals.
We have no dispute with the Football Association, and everything that should be communicated has already been communicated. After I talk with Karanka, I will improve the process and communication mechanism. After the players are selected, it's up to the head coach to decide. We don't want to confront the Football Association. The communication channels are smooth. Maybe some details were not in place before.
If I were Frick and knew that Lamin couldn't play in the next game, I would be angry; if I were De La Fuente, I would send Lamin to win. This has always been the case. The key point is that all national team competitions are now official competitions. Improving communication and making the process smooth is not a problem at all.
Q: How would you rate your job as a sports director so far?
A： I don't rate myself, but only focus on helping the club grasp the present and plan for the future. It's unrealistic to win the championship every year, especially in the face of Real Madrid, which has been strengthening. We have gone through a period of transition, and now Barcelona is competitive, which can create opportunities to win.
The responsibility of the sports director is to extend the competitive cycle as long as possible and find solutions through internal tapping potential and external recruitment-because our work is not just in the summer, and every day's decisions affect the team.
Q: About your own future: Your contract expires next summer, and you said you would advance and retreat with LaPorta. But Frick, who comes with you and the chairman, has renewed his contract until 2027. If you receive a renewal proposal, will you accept it?
A： If the board changed, the idea would be different, and I think this great work should continue for a few more years now.
My plan is tied to the chairman, and if he leaves, the idea ends.It’s not a matter of not renewing, I don’t need to find a job, it’s a matter of whether the idea can continue.
Q: Vitor Roque was a bet between you and the club, but he didn't meet expectations. Now he has found the feeling of scoring goals again in Palmeiras. How do you evaluate this operation?
A： My way of working focused on the accuracy of the concept. At the time, we and the coach team, Boyan, assessed: taking into account Levan’s age, it was necessary to introduce a midfielder (Fernand played mainly on the edge at the time). When Rock joined, the environment was not friendly to the new guys – we just won the league, and when his winter window came, the head coach had announced that he was leaving at the end of the season.
Looking back, maybe you should convince the coach that it’s not the best time. Rock joined the team during the difficult period and became crowded, but it’s not his fault.