Barcelona have experienced a tumultuous year, to say the least. What began with great optimism ahead of the summer transfer window was soon overshadowed by the administration’s failure to meet the desired targets.

However, the team’s strong start to La Liga, with four wins in as many games, has once again turned pessimism into optimism as they head into the international break on a high.

Speaking to the media earlier today, Barcelona president Joan Laporta addressed a wide range of topics, from the team’s impressive start to the season to the club’s financial situation.

He began by providing an update on the club’s improvements across various fronts, including the economic situation.

“The club is in a better position economically, sportingly, and socially than it was before we took over,” he stated.

“Three years ago, the club was in a precarious situation, and we were out of control. We have worked on recovery, moving forward with the Camp Nou, restoring institutional prestige, and strengthening La Masia. The club is now in a better financial, social, and sporting position,” he added.

When asked about when the team could return to the Camp Nou, he said:

“At the end of the year, we will be able to play at Spotify Camp Nou, but I don’t want to set specific dates. We are confident that it is becoming a reality and is progressing well.”

On Deco

Recent weeks have seen questions raised about the future of the club’s sporting director, Deco, with some even linking him with a departure.

“We are very happy with the work of Deco and his team. Deco is the reason Hansi Flick is here.”

“Deco has a profound understanding of football, which gives us great confidence in him as the sporting director,” he continued.

He emphasised that Deco was responsible for all the renewals, contractual developments, and even the hiring of Hansi Flick.

“He has done an outstanding job in renewing the youth players with the dynamics of the first team, such as Pau Prim, Cubarsi, Casado, Bernal, Domínguez, Dani Rodríguez, Álex Valle, Guille, and Toni Fernández.”

“Deco is the architect behind our having Flick as a coach. One of his achievements has also been the work he has done on staff configuration with Flick and sports restructuring. There is harmony between the first team and grassroots football.”

Finally, he spoke about Deco’s continuity, saying: “He is very comfortable at Barça. This is the reality. He is comfortable with the team he has, and we are satisfied with what he has done.”

On the current season

Laporta then moved on to the topic of the team’s strong start to the season and the expectations placed upon them.

“Barça will deliver positive results this year, just as I mentioned to the senators before.”

Discussing the current squad at the manager’s disposal and the increasing significance of La Masia, he said:

“We have a squad with a much higher market value than we had in 2021. The average age of the squad has been reduced, and the principle of always looking at La Masia for solutions first has been adhered to.”

He also praised Hansi Flick for transforming this Barcelona team, stating:

“We are very happy with Hansi Flick. He has a winning mentality, and we are very proud of the squad we have now.”

“Now, we see that La Masia is the core of our project.”

When asked if the team would compete for titles this season, he spoke about Flick’s adaptability and clear vision for the team.

“We are laying the foundations to achieve the objectives that have been set. He doesn’t look for excuses and makes the most of what he has.”

“He is a demanding man. He also asks Deco for many things, but we don’t have anything fixed in terms of titles. We will work to achieve them,” he added.

On Dani Olmo and injuries

Dani Olmo has had a strong start to life at Barcelona with two goals in as many appearances. Laporta took credit for signing the Euro 2024 winner, saying:

“The arrival of Dani Olmo proves what I said a few months ago: yes, Barça are ready to sign players with high-level contracts.”

“With rule 1/1, the final registration will be extended and will allow us to have Olmo registered without issues. A very good job has been done, with excellent medical reports and a thorough medical analysis for Christensen’s injury,” he added on Olmo’s controversial registration.

During his interaction, he also shared his thoughts on the team’s injury situation and how it had impacted the dressing room.

“The atmosphere in the dressing room is one of familiarity and commitment. Players from the youth team have joined the first team, such as Casadó and Bernal, who will return stronger than ever, alongside Gerard Martín and Sergi Domínguez.”

“Let’s hope that after the break, Frenkie de Jong and Gavi can be integrated back in. Fermín has been injured; we have had some bad luck,” he added.

“Christensen and Araujo too. We hope they rejoin soon. We never planned to sell them. After the break, we hope Frenkie returns,” he said regarding the defenders.

Speaking about the noise around Barcelona’s success this season, the president urged fans to keep supporting the Blaugranas.

“All the Culers need to be proud of the team we have and not pay attention to what others say because, conveniently for them, whenever Barça wins, the Negreira case resurfaces in the news.”

Finally, he expressed his expectations from the new signings, Olmo and Pau Victor.

“We have very high expectations for Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor. We have a great defence, a very strong midfield, and a more than complete forward line.”

“We have a very good squad and a coach who is very clear about our playing style,” he added.

On the recent summer transfer window

Laporta also provided an update on Barcelona’s inability to close sponsorship deals and raise funds in time to make signings this summer and the failure to reach the 1:1 rule.

“The need to strengthen sports equipment allowed us the 1×1 rule, but the sporting timeline does not always align with the economic timeline, especially with agreements of this magnitude. If we had finalised it earlier, we would have rushed,” he said, referring to the Nike deal.

“All clubs face difficulties in registering players. We will achieve the 1×1 rule, but as I have said, we have been patient. The club generates more income than it spends,” he added.

Specifically speaking about the deal with Nike amidst links with Puma, he continued:

“The sports equipment contract that we are going to sign will be the best in the world of football. It is currently in a very complex negotiation process. Right now, we are focused on Nike.”

“We could have achieved the 1:1 this summer, but it would have been hasty. We wanted to improve the contract and wait,” he concluded.

When asked why the board did not push for a new last-minute signing during the window, he explained:

“We could have provided a guarantee to finalise a last-minute signing, which was already prepared, but we did not want to risk our individual assets. To register the remaining players, we have explored other options.”

He then admitted that the club managed to sign their top transfer target, Dani Olmo.

“We are very satisfied with what we have done in the market. Olmo was the priority.”

“I’m sorry, but you’ll allow me not to discuss players who are not ours. I will not comment on aspects of players who are not in our squad,” he said when asked about Nico Williams.

The president also addressed the club’s inability to retain Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix.

“In configuring the first team, we have decided that the best squad is the one we have now.”

“They were on loan, it ended on 30th June, and they have taken different paths. Felix is at Chelsea, and Cancelo is at Al-Hilal, finally,” he added.

On the departure of Vitor Roque, he said: “Deco told me that we had four clubs, in addition to Betis, who wanted him to go on loan this summer. We think he is a young and very talented player, and he will prove it at Betis. We hope he shows his great quality.”

During the same press conference, he also mentioned that the board has a clear plan with Barça Vision and the exact amount they hope to generate through its sale. He further stated that the 1:1 rule was very close and intentionally not rushed.