The best of times and the worst of times for Barcelona players this summer

How quickly glory can turn into heartbreak in the world of football.

Pedri was back at his best for Spain, playing a key role in helping them reach the quarterfinals of the Euros. Surely a sign of things to come as the Canarian looks to make a comeback for Barcelona under Hansi Flick?

Alas, the bad luck continues. Violently chopped down by a Real Madrid rival before he could use his singular skills to spring a counter attack and get Spain going on their way to the next round.

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Just as it was with Gavi last fall as he was serving his country, no good deed goes unpunished for Barcelona midfielders it seems.

Luckily, this isn’t as bad. A knee sprain is not an ACL tear. But for a young player like Pedri with such a long injury record already, it doesn’t bode well for his changes in the season ahead. Let alone in forecasting a long and healthy career for the Blaugrana.

And these are the types of questions Hansi Flick will be asking himself. Who can I count on?

Gavi is in the gym, working hard to return stronger and better than he was previously. ACL injuries make me nervous personally, especially for midfielders who need to cut, pivot, and change direction in order to do the job.

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Pedri was looking great for Spain because, for the first time in a while, he looked decisive, playing without thinking or hesitation. That’s a significant mental hurdle to overcome when overcoming a physical setback.

Now, all of a sudden, Frenkie de Jong is also coming off a year hobbled by injuries. The Dutchman hasn’t even featured for a Dutch side that has reached the quarterfinals.

Ilkay Gundogan looks to be ironman. Luckily for Barcelona, his time at the Euros has ended, and he looks healthy and at the top of his craft going into the preseason.

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I had asked the questions a few weeks back, who between Pedri and Gundogan would be the number ten for Flick? The German is in the driver’s seat now. Perhaps he’ll play in front of a double pivot of Frenkie and Christensen to start the season as things currently stand.

Keep in mind that Fermin Lopez is another midfielder who won’t be available to start the season, coming off the big role he is likely to play at the Paris Olympics.

But that’s not all.

Now a muscular injury to Ronald Araujo. Another player who seems to pick up injury after injury. And that’s a shame, because El Loco Marcel Bielsa was getting Araujo out of his head, and back to playing with the intensity and physicality that have made the Uruguayan one of the best defenders in Europe.

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Next man up, no excuses for Barcelona this season.

Whether they experience good or bad luck, Flick will need to create a system of plug and play, with a depth of players at every position who can get the job done. Transmitting how he wants the team to play will be the goal of the summer. And making sure he has the talent he needs to execute.

Jules Kounde has been a star at fullback for France. Could he move back to the middle in place of Araujo if need be?

We’ll be holding our collective breath while Pau Cubarsí leads the backline of Spain in Paris.

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Barcelona players are showing this summer how deep the Blaugrana talent pool is across all international competitions.

It should give us hope.

But the conditioning of these players continues to be a big concern that the club will need to address under the leadership of their new manager and his staff.

Get the team healthy, and keep them that way.

This season, it’s important that these world class footballers get a chance to showcase themselves.

For club, as they have for country.