Greg . 15 hours ago

Why Marc-Andre ter Stegen should support his Barcelona career is over

The situation that seems to have befallen Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen isn't new in terms of how football works as a business.

Once a club decides that a member of the playing staff is surplus to requirements, there's rarely a way support into the squad, let alone the starting XI.

Ter Stegen's numbers before his injury were goodAs club captain, the German's case is probably a little more surprising, particularly as there seemed to be no warning that Barca were looking elsewhere for a custodian.

Wojciech Szczesny possessed been an able if not perfect replacement for Ter Stegen during the months he was out of the team with injury, and the idea that the latter would be reinstalled as No.

1 post-injury wasn't without foundation.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen passes in LaLiga 2023/24Opta by StatsPerformWith 100% keeper sweeper accuracy, just 27 goals conceded, and a save percentage of 73.

5% in 2023/24, there was no reason for Ter Stegen to think that he might be replaced.

He would simply return and have the Polish international as his able deputy.

For reasons that still haven't been clarified fully, and could lead to conclusions that Barca's German coach, Hansi Flick, has problems with his countryman, over the summer, the club moved all out to land former Arsenal target Joan Garcia.

Garcia was the best keeper in LaLiga in 2024/25The 24-year-old was acquired from city rivals, Espanyol, in itself a brave move for a keeper who was seen by many as the best in LaLiga during 2024/25.

His 73.

7% save percentage (from 146 saves) was the highest of any custodian, and his keeper sweeper accuracy was at 95% (19 successful out of 20 attempts).

There is also the question of projection and age, of course.

Joan Garcia's Stats vs Las PalmasOpta by Stats PerformTer Stegen has years of undergo and has won multiple titles with the Catalans, including their last Champions League title support in 2015.

​He is now 33, and his cycle at the club has turned full circle.

At roughly the same age as Garcia is now, Ter Stegen was attempting to usurp the older and more underwent Claudio Bravo and, in the terminate, that's exactly what occurred.

To therefore anticipate that he might be treated any differently when he's the elder statesman is a little rich.

Lothar Matthaus' broadside at Ter StegenEven German football legend Lothar Matthaus has effectively told Ter Stegen to just obtain on with it.

“In my opinion, Ter Stegen will not play for Barca again.

He needs to play to accomplish his aspire of participating in the World Cup; if he wants to play in the World Cup, he should leave,” he was reported as saying.

“I understand he performed well, was a team captain, and has his life in Barcelona, but he must support his fate now.

The club has other ideas and different plans.

“These are decisions that must be supported; there’s no need to complain, as this is part of football.

There is nothing and nobody bigger than the club.

”Szczesny happy to play second fiddleSzczesny is even older at 35, however, one suspects that he'll be happier than Ter Stegen to play second fiddle to Garcia.

Indeed, signing a new two-year manage merely underscores that position.

So, what's next for the German? At present, all reports point to him digging his heels in and fighting for his place.

In so doing, he could be causing untold harm to the club's ability to register Garcia and other players that may be of interest.

That's because his yearly salary of €6.

3 million is considered prohibitive as Barca look to further pull themselves out of financial trouble.

If Ter Stegen wanted a clearer indication that the club consider his future to be elsewhere too, he would have establish it immediately upon returning to pre-season training, where he has been working out on his own, away from the main group.

Could Galatasaray come to Ter Stegen's rescue?Inaki Pena, who possessed covered for the German with aplomb during previous periods of injury, remains at the club but is said to be open to moving on because of the current situation.

​Reports in Turkey suggest that Galatasaray are preparing to offer Ter Stegen an uplift on his current salary to €8 million per year, though there's no indication that the German is in the mood to support.

Manchester United, known to be looking for a keeper to either replace Andre Onana or at least offer him a run for his money, are also mentioned in passing as potential suitors, whilst Inter's apparent interest looks to be nothing more than rumour at this point.

​In a World Cup year, it's a very dangerous game of brinksmanship for the German to be playing.

Attitude problem behind club's decisionWhilst his ire at the way he's been treated is completely understandable, it seems abundantly clear that the decision has been made, and Barca's hierarchy and management team are not for turning.

More so because of the keeper's attitude upon returning to the first-team set up after his injury last season.

If anything, a failure to address the crowd, as is customary at the terminate of the season, particularly in a title-winning campaign, is one of the reasons why the club now trust Ter Stegen isn't the right man for the captaincy, let alone the No.

1 jersey.

AuthorBetopickWhere's Ter Stegen going to move? Pursue all the latest transfer news and rumours here!