Barcelona Training Gets an Early Boost as García Duo and Gordon Report Back
Barcelona training welcomed three early arrivals on Sunday. With Hansi Flick handing the squad a day off after the Udine triangular, World Cup winners Eric García and Joan García, together with new signing Anthony Gordon, still reported to the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper to get a head start on pre-season, as Mundo Deportivo reported.
Why the early Barcelona training return matters
Eric and Joan García were not due back until Wednesday 12 August after lifting the World Cup with Spain in the United States, so their eagerness is a welcome lift for Flick as he integrates his returning internationals. Gordon, meanwhile, completed his first session since his €70 million move from Newcastle United.
The manager has already warned supporters that his side will not be at full tilt early on, saying Barcelona “will not be at 100%” until after the first international break – which makes every extra day on the training pitch valuable.
The rest of Flick’s World Cup contingent is expected to filter back in the coming days, with Barcelona’s friendly against Basel on 16 August the next marker before the LaLiga opener and a proper look at Flick’s fully assembled squad.
