Deco says Barcelona backed Anthony Gordon over Marcus Rashford because Hansi Flick wanted more intensity and a better fit for his style. He also said the club kept the process tightly shut, with a closed working group and a clear warning that leaks can alter transfer terms. Gordon has four assists in four La Liga appearances, while Barcelona have won all five matches and scored 22 goals.

Flick's preference for Gordon

Speaking to Goal, Deco said: “He contributed a lot last season, but our idea of play is much more linked to Anthony. His style fits with what the coach is looking for.” He added in another interview that Barcelona needed more intensity and that Flick was “clear with what he wanted”.

That lines up with Gordon's early output. Four assists in four league games is a strong start, and Flick has already said Gordon’s speed and intensity are “exactly what we were looking for in him”.

Rashford was part of the conversation, but Barcelona decided against triggering a £26m option for him. Deco also said the club’s parameters were about playing time as well as money.

The transfer process stayed closed

Deco was just as pointed about how Barcelona operate. He said the club have “a closed working group” and added, “If it were up to the press, we’d sign 50 players.”

He also said speculation can complicate transfers because “agents or clubs change the terms”. That is the part of the story that stands out beyond the names. Barcelona did not just choose one winger over another, they tried to keep the whole process away from noise while the deal was being worked on.

The early returns make that call look better than it might have a few weeks ago. Barcelona have won all five matches and scored 22 goals, which is a strong setting for Gordon's start and for Deco's argument that the profile, not the headlines, was the point.

Rashford's numbers at Manchester United are not the issue Barcelona were solving for here. The issue was intensity, and on Deco’s account, that is why Gordon got the nod.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →