#squad-management

#squad-management

Barcelona's injury crisis claimed it's latest victim this week as star midfielder Pedri was ruled out for the foreseeable future. The situation is a real issue for Hansi Flick and was reportedly one reason why he gave four of his first-team players some extra rest this week, according to Mundo Deportivo. Marcus Rashford, Frenkie de Jong, Jules Koundé and Pau Cubarsi were all noticeable absentees on the training ground on Wednesday - after being allowed an extra day off.

A report from Sport Bild's Tobi Altschäffl and Heiko Niedderer (via @iMiaSanMia) says that Kompany ignored what Uli Hoeneß said about Nicolas Jackson because such statements are irrelevant to his job. The Belgian is generally interested in his team and what happens in the dressing room and on the pitch. He prefers distancing himself from the politics inside the club, contrary to many of his predecessors.

Liverpool was linked with Ugarte last summer, but the club's hierarchy decided against 'panic buying' and turned down the opportunity to sign the midfielder.