Barcelona‘s €60 Million Investment, Dani Olmo, Struggles for Form at Club Level, Shines for spain
Barcelona forward Dani Olmo, acquired for a significant €60 million, is facing scrutiny over his physical condition and impact within the club, even as he continues to be a key player for the Spanish national team. The 22-year-old’s performance with Barcelona has led to questions about whether he can live up to his price tag, while together, he remains a celebrated figure for La Roja, recently demonstrating his value on the international stage.
Olmo’s difficulties at Barcelona have opened an chance for Fermín López, a product of the club’s academy, to establish himself in the lineup.Barcelona manager Julian Flick praised Fermín on October 21st, stating, “He is very dangerous for the opponent. For us, its vital to have him in our team because he is good with the ball, and fantastic without the ball also.” This praise underscores the competition for playing time and the pressure on Olmo to perform. concerns over Olmo’s physical state prompted a meeting between his agent and Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, to discuss his future.
Reports in November indicated that Olmo’s physical condition is hindering his ability to challenge Fermín for a starting position. AS noted, “He will only be able to aspire to Fermín’s place when he is in full physical shape.“ Olmo himself acknowledged the issue, stating, “I am following a work method to prevent these injuries, with work in the gym. But it’s football and you can’t control everything.“
Despite his club struggles, Olmo’s value to the Spanish national team remains unquestioned. Following a 2-2 draw against Turkey on November 18th, where Olmo scored the opening goal, national team coach Luis de la Fuente remarked, “He is a player capable of occupying several positions and who performs at a very high level with the national team.” Spanish media outlets lauded his performance.AS celebrated, “How important it is for Spain that Dani Olmo recovers his best version.” Marca added, “He is one of those players who makes the difference. And that, in a World Cup, is gold.” Mundo Deportivo concluded, “Olmo is a magic wand. This type of player for whom you pay a football ticket. Sometiems even at too high prices.“