Fermin Lopez has thrown his support behind sporting director Deco as Barcelona weigh up whether to strengthen their attacking line, while admitting he remains short of full match sharpness following a demanding summer. The midfielder reflected on the club’s striking options and his own fitness after Barcelona secured a commanding 5-0 victory over Elche in their second La Liga fixture of the 2026/27 season on Saturday.
Speaking following the rout, Lopez expressed confidence that “Deco will do what is best for Barcelona” regarding any potential recruitment at centre-forward. The 21-year-old pointed to the existing options already available within the squad, stressing that the final decision rests with the sporting director rather than the players.
Existing squad solutions
Lopez highlighted that Barcelona possess sufficient depth in their current attacking unit, deflecting questions about a new No. 9 by emphasising trust in the hierarchy. His stance suggests satisfaction with the existing alternatives despite ongoing market speculation about a specialist striker arriving before the transfer deadline.
Physical condition concerns
On a personal level, the Spain international offered a frank appraisal of his physical condition after completing the match against Elche. He admitted he finished the game exhausted and needs to “continue regaining his match rhythm” after describing the recent summer as “very tough” on his body.
Despite his fatigue, Lopez praised the team’s collective performance, noting that the side “finished the match feeling good” and executed their attacking strategy effectively. He insisted Barcelona must “continue working in the same way” to maintain their positive start to the campaign.
The comprehensive victory over Elche provides an early statement of intent for Barcelona as they seek to establish dominance in the Spanish top flight. Lopez’s comments indicate a squad focused on internal solutions while leaving recruitment decisions to the club’s leadership.