Barcelona new signing’s availability still unknown as he works to regain full fitness

The season-ending injury to Marc-Andre ter Stegen compelled FC Barcelona to go into the market and bring in Wojciech Szczesny as an emergency signing.

The 34-year-old Pole came out of retirement and signed a short-term deal with the Blaugrana until the end of the season.

Szczesny has also been registered in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, making him eligible to play as soon as Hansi Flick deems him ready to feature.

Still no clarity

However, according to SPORT, it is still unknown as to when Szczesny will be available and ready to play for Barcelona.

Reports this week suggested that the former Juventus and Arsenal man could be ready to make his debut right after the international break against Sevilla.

However, that might not be the case as Szczesny is still undergoing a ‘pre-season’ of sorts on his own and working hard to recover his full fitness after having retired from the game, even though it was only for a brief period.

The goalkeeper is aware of the levels needed to play for Barça and will not make his debut until he is 100% fit.

Szczesny’s situation having a domino effect

Ter Stegen’s injury and Szczesny’s current unavailability have somewhat affected the goalkeeping hierarchy at Barcelona as well as the reserve team.

After all, with the Pole still not ready, Flick has had to count on Ander Astralaga, the first-choice for Barça Atletic, as the No. 2 behind Inaki Pena.

While the senior team is currently on a break, Astralaga would have been asked to play for Albert Sanchez’s team this weekend against Real Sociedad B, if not for the game being cancelled.

Meanwhile, Aron Yaakobishvili has had to serve as the third-choice stopper in the senior team while the Hungarian also made his debut for the subsidiary team recently.

As such, Sanchez had to play Eder Aller in Barça Atletic’s most recent match – a 2-2 draw against Sestao, with Max Bonfill serving as the backup.

Diego Kochen’s injury-enforce absence has only added to the goalkeeping muddle. But it also highlights the riches of talent Barcelona have in the position, with the future seeming bright.