Barcelona veteran confident of finishing the season as first choice and staying next term | OneFootball

According to the latest update from SPORT, Barcelona appear to be fully convinced that Wojciech Szczesny will remain their first-choice goalkeeper until the end of the season, and they are already working on extending his stay for another year.

The Polish shot-stopper has settled in well at Barcelona and the club has complete confidence in his ability to finish the campaign as the starting goalkeeper.

Szczesny has been one of the biggest revelations of the season for Barcelona. His performances have been outstanding, making him a key figure in the squad.

Not only has he secured his place in the starting XI, but he has also become a respected presence within the dressing room.

Now, with just over two months left in the season, the club remains fully committed to him, both for the short term and potentially for another season, should he decide to stay.

What happens when Ter Stegen returns?

While Marc-Andre ter Stegen is edging closer to full fitness, there are no immediate plans to disrupt the current setup.

The intention is to finish the season with Szczesny as the primary goalkeeper before reassessing the situation in the summer.

Wojciech Szczesny will finish the season as Barcelona’s first choice. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Given UEFA’s regulations, Ter Stegen would not be eligible to play in the Champions League unless Szczesny was removed from the squad list, a move that is not currently being considered.

The priority remains ensuring that Ter Stegen recovers completely, with a decision to be made at the appropriate time. However, as things stand, Szczesny remains the club’s first-choice option.

Collateral damage

The Polish goalkeeper is leaning towards staying at Barcelona for another year and is not imposing any sporting conditions on his potential renewal.

His main uncertainty revolves around whether he should retire and spend more time with his family. However, he is enjoying life both on and off the pitch in Barcelona, which could influence his decision to extend his stay.

Should Szczesny remain at the club, it would likely lead to the departure of Inaki Pena, whose contract runs until 2026 but who has struggled to gain the trust of the coaching staff.

This scenario would also give Barcelona more time to plan for the future, either by signing a promising young goalkeeper in 2026 or by promoting talent from within their ranks.