The situation that Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen seems to have happened is not new in terms of how football works as a company.
As soon as a club decides that a member of the play staff is surplus for requirements, there is rarely a way back to the team, let alone the starting XI.
Ter Stegen's figures before his injury was good
As a club captain, the German's business is probably a bit more surprising, especially since there seemed to be no warning that Barca was looking for a custodian elsewhere.
Wojciech Szczesny was a competent, if not perfect replacement for Ter Stegen during the months that he was out of the team with injury, and the idea that the latter would be reinstalled if no. 1 post injury was not without a basis.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen Passes in Laliga 2023/24Opta by Statspleform
With 100% keeper -Sweeperness, only 27 goals admitted and a savings percentage of 73.5% in 2023/24, there was no reason for Ter Stegen to think that he could be replaced.
He would just return and have the Polish international as his competent substitute.
For reasons that have still not been explained completely and can lead to conclusions that Barca's German coach, Hansi Flick, has problems with his countryman in the summer, the club went all the way to land former Arsenal -white Joan Garcia.
Garcia was the best keeper in LaLiga in 2024/25
The 24-year-old was taken from City Rivals, Espanyol, in itself a brave move for a keeper who was seen by many as the best in LaLiga in 2024/25.
His 73.7% savings percentage (from 146 Saves) was the highest of every custodian, and his keeper -Sweeper, was 95% (19 successful of 20 attempts).
There is of course also the issue of projection and age.
Joan Garcia's statistics vs Las Palmasopta perform by statistics
Ter Stegen has years of experience and has won several titles with the Catalans, including their latest Champions League title in 2015.
He is now 33 and his cycle in the club is the circle. At about the same age as Garcia is now, Ter Stegen tried to use the older and more experienced Claudio Bravo and in the end that is exactly what happened.
That is why he can expect that he can be treated differently if he is the older statesman is a bit rich.
Lothar Matthaus' Broadside in Ter Stegen
Even the German football legend Lothar Matthaus has effectively said to Ter Stegen that he will continue with it.
“In my opinion, Ter Stegen will no longer play for Barca. He has to play to realize his dream to participate in the World Cup; if he wants to play in the World Cup, he should leave,” he said.
“I understand that he performed well, was a team captain and has his life in Barcelona, but he now has to accept his fate. The club has different ideas and different plans.
“These are decisions that must be accepted; it is not necessary to complain because this is part of football. There is nothing and no one bigger than the club.”
Szczesny likes to play second violin
Szczesny is even older at 35, but it is suspected that he will be happier than Ter Stegen to play second violin to Garcia. Signing a new two -year -old deal indeed only underlines that position.
So what is the next for the German? At the moment all reports indicate that he is going into his heels and is fighting for his place.
By doing this, he can cause unprecedented damage to the power of the club to register Garcia and other players who can be interesting.
That is because his annual salary of € 6.3 million is considered priceless if Barca wants to get himself further out of financial problems.
If Ter Stegen wanted a clearer indication that the club also regards its future elsewhere, he would have found it immediately upon return to the training for the season, where he was worked alone, away from the main group.
Could Galatasaray come the rescue of Ter Stegen?
Inaki Pena, who had covered injury for the German during earlier periods, stays at the club, but would be open to continue because of the current situation.
Reports in Turkey suggest that Galatasaray is preparing to offer an increase in his current salary to € 8 million per year, although there are no indications that the German is in the mood to accept.
Manchester United, known as looking for a goalkeeper to replace Andre Onana or at least give a run for his money, are also mentioned as potential lovers, while the apparent interest of Inter at the moment seems to be nothing more than rumor.
In a world cup year it is a very dangerous game of Brinksiverken for the German to play.
Attitude problem behind Club's decision
While his anger about the way in which he has been treated is completely understandable, it seems abundantly clear that the decision was made and the Barca hierarchy and management team is not to turn around.
Even more because of the attitude of the keeper on return to the first team set up after his injury last season.
If there is something, it is not at the end of the season, as is usual, as is usual, especially in a title -winning campaign, one of the reasons why the club now believes that Ter Stegen is not the right man for the captain, let alone the number 1 Jersey.