Barcelona duo Alejandro Balde & Julian Araujo declared fully fit

Araujo returned after a loan stint at Las Palmas.

Barcelona have been handed an injury boost after the return of full-back duo Alejandro Balde and Julian Araujo to the team for the pre-season tour. The club have been mired in injuries since last season, which even continues this summer after Ansu Fati suffered a foot injury while training. 

Amidst this, Barcelona duo Balde and Araujo have received the medical green light from the medical team, which will give some relief to the club after both previously had suffered season-ending injuries. Balde picked up a hamstring injury in January and was sidelined for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign. 

The left-back broke into the first team in the 2022–23 season and replaced Jordi Alba as the first-team player. The injury meant, he also missed the Euro 2024. Now the player is working under Hansi Flick to speed up his match fitness. 

Now that he has been handed the medical go-ahead, Balde will fly with Barcelona to the USA for the pre-season tour. Meanwhile, the Mexican right-back, who endured an injury towards the end of the season was loaned out to Las Palmas. Araujo impressed during his loan stint and could now be part of the first team for the upcoming season. 

Barcelona will face Olot before they fly to the USA. It remains to be seen if either of the full-backs will get some game time. 

Barcelona are also exploring the transfer market to bolster their squad to challenge Real Madrid for the LaLiga title. While negotiations are ongoing, the team has not yet signed any players. Nico Williams is anticipated to join the team as the Catalans giants are in talks with Athletic Bilbao. Last season, the club solely signed free agents due to their financial difficulties.

Barcelona will start a new era under new head coach Hansi Flick, who was desperate to become the manager of the Spanish club after they decided to part ways with Xavi.

It was an awkward scenario. Barcelona convinced Xavi to remain at the club. But after the former midfielder pointed out the club’s economic struggles, it resulted in his sacking.

It will be intriguing to watch how the new manager handles things and whether he can replicate his Bayern Munich success at Barcelona.

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