Two reliable options Hansi Flick can turn to after Barcelona mainstay’s recent injury | OneFootball

Barcelona have been hit with a major setback following the confirmation that Jules Kounde will be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

A defensive mainstay under Hansi Flick, the Frenchman had been virtually ever-present in the side, only missing a single match against Mallorca.

His absence leaves a significant void on the right side of defence, and the manager now has a difficult but crucial decision to make.

Fortunately, Flick has two options: Eric Garcia and Hector Fort. Both come with their own strengths, and either could step up to fill Kounde’s role, at least temporarily.

Eric Garcia: The experienced, tactical option

Eric Garcia is likely to be Flick’s first choice. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Garcia, though primarily a centre-back, has already shown versatility by stepping in at right-back on multiple occasions.

Flick brought him on to replace Kounde against Inter Milan, signalling the coaching staff’s trust in the Catalan defender for high-stakes matches.

He also featured in this role against Benfica in the Champions League and against Mallorca in La Liga.

While the former Manchester City defender may not bring the same attacking dynamism as Kounde, he offers tactical discipline and positional awareness.

He tends to stay back rather than push forward, helping to maintain the team’s defensive structure. Flick’s decision to use him in key moments is telling, and it would not be surprising to see Garcia feature regularly during Kounde’s absence.

Hector Fort: The youthful, energetic alternative

Hector Fort can be used in matches of less magnitude. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

The other alternative is Fort, a promising product of La Masia. The 18-year-old full-back has caught attention with his energy, intelligence, and technical ability.

While he lacks the experience of Garcia, Fort brings natural width and attacking flair that could serve Barça well against teams like Valladolid, where possession and offensive threat matter more than tactical conservatism.

Flick might be tempted to hand Fort a start this weekend to give him minutes and test his readiness at the senior level.

However, with matches of greater magnitude looming, Fort is likely to remain a backup for now, learning in the shadows while García handles the pressure at the top.