Change of plans as Barcelona youngster now set to travel for Asia pre-season tour

It’s been a whirlwind start to FC Barcelona’s pre-season, especially in the goalkeeping department. The club's strategic moves have created a dynamic, if somewhat chaotic, landscape between the sticks, leading to an unexpected opportunity for one of La Masia's promising talents. With Joan Garcia having arrived as the new starter, Wojciech Szczesny signing a renewal, and Iñaki Peña’s future subject to ongoing speculation, the initial plans for the pre-season tour roster have been significantly altered. This fluidity has opened the door for young goalkeeper Pau Coll, who was initially expected to remain with the B squad, but is now set to join the first team for their pivotal Asia tour.

The goalkeeping merry-go-round began with the surprising acquisition of Joan Garcia, signaling a clear intent for a new hierarchy. This was compounded by the extension of Wojciech Szczesny’s contract, adding another experienced figure to the mix. Meanwhile, the status of Iñaki Peña, who served as Marc-André ter Stegen’s primary backup last season, remains ambiguous, with reports suggesting he could be seeking a move for more regular first-team football. This uncertainty, coupled with Ter Stegen’s planned reduced involvement in the initial stages of pre-season, has created an urgent need for additional reliable hands. It's into this void that Pau Coll, a highly-rated product of Barcelona’s esteemed youth academy, has been thrust, earning an eleventh-hour call-up that underscores the club’s faith in its homegrown talent.