Barcelona lost two of their most talented youngsters to injuries in the season gone by as Gavi and Alejandro Balde missed the entire second half of the campaign.
Gavi was out since November 2023 due to an ACL injury and is still some way away from making a comeback.
Balde, on the other hand, suffered a thigh injury in January that needed surgery and is making very good progress in his recovery.
In fact, the 20-year-old left-back informed new manager Hansi Flick that he is aiming to return in time for pre-season during their meeting last week.
Balde aims to succeed under Flick
Now, Mundo Deportivo reports that Balde is working extremely hard on his recovery as he aims to regain full fitness soon and achieve success under the management of Hansi Flick.
The 20-year-old has resumed training on the grass over the past couple of weeks and as per the report, he is slowly but steadily increasing the intensity of his workload.
While most of his teammates are away on international duty or on vacation, the left-back daily arrives to train at the club’s Ciutat Esportiva complex.
In a video shared by the club today, Balde is seen working out in the gym with weights and medicine balls, while he also appears exercising on the training field at full physical capacity and with a ball, which is a huge step in the right direction.
Un día más. Un día menos pic.twitter.com/oIYWS9wvXd— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) June 3, 2024
The La Masia graduate’s aim is to recover his best version and enjoy success under the new manager.
Flick rates Balde highly
As has been reported already, Hansi Flick is an admirer of Alejandro Balde and rates him very highly.
In fact, the German tactician is hoping to replicate the success he had at Bayern Munich with Alphonso Davies, with Balde at Barcelona.
Balde’s return to full fitness is expected to take place in time for pre-season, following which the youngster will hope to win over the full trust of the new coach.
