Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick and his coaching staff afforded a tailored fitness plan to a member of the club’s youth ranks earlier this summer.
That’s according to Diario Sport, who point towards Ibrahim Diarra as the player in question.
Youngster Diarra for his part completed a permanent move to Catalunya’s capital last December.
After initially enduring a difficult time of things, the 18-year-old soon settled into the attacking ranks of Barca’s U19 side.
And Diarra’s flashes of individual brilliance, evidently, did not go unnoticed amongst those in charge of the club’s first-team ranks.
As per a report from Sport, with a view to taking his place in first-team training for pre-season at Barcelona:
‘Before going on holiday, the club provided a specific plan to gain muscle and be able to be up to the task on a physical level to exercise with the rest of the first-team. Something that the boy has been following to the letter in Mali.’
It now remains to be seen if Diarra can do enough in pre-season to convince Hansi Flick of his readiness to contribute at senior level in 2025/26.
Conor Laird – GSFN
