Barcelona departed for a week-long training camp in England on Monday, with head coach Hansi Flick confirming his travelling squad for the second phase of pre-season preparation at St George's Park. The camp runs until 3 August and represents a crucial stepping stone toward the 2026/27 season, with the German manager looking to build competitive rhythm ahead of the domestic and European campaigns.
The squad includes several key figures despite ongoing transfer speculation and rest periods granted to Euro 2024 winners. Captain Marc-André ter Stegen joins the camp despite uncertainty surrounding a potential move to Ajax, while Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong travels despite managing a knee injury. Young Egyptian talent Hamza Abdelkarim, who has impressed during initial pre-season sessions, earned his place on the roster after impressing Flick during Barcelona's intensive training at the Joan Gamper Sports City.
Fresh Arrivals and Rest Protocols
Recent summer signing Karim Adeyemi features in the England contingent after completing his first training session with the club on Friday. Brazilian winger Raphinha is expected to link up with the group on Wednesday following his Copa América commitments. The staggered arrivals reflect Flick's phased approach to managing player workload and integration, allowing homegrown talents like Abdelkarim to gain additional exposure alongside established names.
Conspicuously absent are Barcelona's Spanish Euro 2024 champions, including Gavi, Pedri, Ferran Torres, and Lamine Yamal, who have been granted rest until mid-August. France's Jules Koundé and England's Anthony Gordon are also absent, recovering from their semi-final runs. This rotation allows tournament participants to return refreshed roughly ten days before competitive action resumes.
Match Schedule and Preparation Goals
Barcelona will face Birmingham City next Friday before meeting Preston North End on 3 August in a pair of friendlies designed to test match fitness and tactical cohesion. The camp concludes Barcelona's two-week English preparation following their dominant 4-1 victory over CE Europa at the conclusion of their Barcelona-based training block. These fixtures give Flick extended opportunities to assess fringe players and young prospects while maintaining momentum toward reclaiming La Liga and Champions League honours.
