A phone call between Robert Lewandowski and Wojciech Szczesny hints at a starting role at Barcelona
Barcelona seemed ready to bring in the Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny out of retirement, as the Blaugrana work to find an agreement with his former club Juventus on his exit package. Szczesny has already given the green light to a move.
One of the factors that helped his case in terms of potential options to replace the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen was his friendship with Robert Lewandowski. According to Cadena SER, as per SportLewandowski and Szczesny spoke on the phone, and the goalkeeper told his compatriot that “Either it starts, or it doesn't come.” It is believed that Szczesny is currently looking for a place to stay in Castelldelfels, where Lewandowski and several other Barcelona players live.
Hansi Flick intends to keep Iñaki Peña as the starting goalkeeper, while the arrival of veteran Wojciech Szczęsny is set to provide backup. However, Peña needs to stay at the top of his game, because the Polish goalkeeper will be very eager to compete. @sergidejuan9
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) September 26, 2024
So far, there have been mixed reports on whether Inaki Pena will retain a starting role once Szczesny arrives, but this certainly suggests he has some assurances that he will be number one, at least until Marc-Andre ter Stegen is returned from injury. . Certainly, as long as Szczesny is registered and ready to go, it will benefit Barcelona to ensure that publicly, at least, Pena is under the impression that he has a shot at the starting role.
There are three more games until the next international break, after which Szczesny would presumably be ready to play at home against Sevilla, if a deal is agreed. From his point of view, it would be a surprise if he came out of retirement to bring Pena back. The Catalan newspaper says Szczesny will undergo a medical on Monday.
