In an exclusive interview with World Sports, Deco talked about several key players in Barcelona who were Frick's jaw. In addition to confirming that the club regards Frankie De Jong as the "cornerstone of the plan" and is optimistic that the player will renew his contract, he also talked about the contract issues of many other players - especially those Barcelona players whose contracts expire this summer or have attracted interest from other teams.

Deco also talked about his future and expressed his views on the controversy between Yamal's pubic injury and the Spanish Football Association. Even mentioned Vittor Rock - the player who has left Barcelona, ​​is now quite efficient in scoring goals in Brazil.

Q: Speaking of Barca's signing of Valdej this summer, why would the team choose a player who has just recovered from serious injuries?

A: We have been following Valdej for a long time. If we had a suitable candidate for our youth training, we would not have gone to the transfer market to "find people". But our decisions are based on professional judgment, not emotional.

We are willing to give youth training players the chance, just like we did to Dro Fernandez, but choosing him was not a whim either. We have followed his performance for a long time, and have seen him score wonderful goals in Monaco, and have maintained communication with his agents. Everyone is very patient. He performed well with the team, and the head coach finally decided.

When a youth training player is activated, it is definitely not a sudden slap in his head when he wakes up one morning: "It's time to use Lamacia's kid today." This requires early preparation, not accidental. We first evaluated the current lineup: Danny Rodriguez could have played in that position, but he was injured, and his technical characteristics were different from that of Valdegi.

Baldej is more like Yamal, good at cutting inward and cooperating. After communicating with the head coach, we confirmed that we need to supplement young players in that position. Although this goal we have been paying attention to for a long time, he returned from injury only in March and did not play much, he is indeed outstanding in talent and is a good opportunity to sign. We are very familiar with his agent, and the contract is about to expire and makes the operation easier, not to mention that he is only 19 years old and has a bright future.

Q: Did Barcelona consider selling Fermin in August? Chelsea wanted to sign him at the time.

A: Impossible. Selling Felming will weaken the team. Unless he himself offered to leave, he could still discuss it, but this has never happened.

Q: Cassado has also received a quote. Has he been put into the transfer market?

A: This situation only happens to players such as Fati, Romeu, Lenglet, and Torre. These are all decisions at the competitive level. If a quote is delivered and the players themselves hesitate, we are willing to talk, but Cassado does not fall into this situation.

Q: Kongde renewed his contract during the transfer window. Has Manchester City pursued him?

A: No, we have not received any quotes. Manchester City is indeed looking for full-backs and asked if Comte can sell it, but there is neither a formal offer nor a negotiation. I used to deal with Begiristan, but now I work with my friend Ugo Viana, and the communication has always been very direct and smooth.

Q: Why did Inigo Martinez let go for free? If he went to Saudi Arabia, he would have received a good transfer fee.

A: First of all, Inigo is a model in all aspects, an outstanding professional player, and has made great contributions last season. He was also extremely patient when registering and was one of the last few players to complete the registration.

Considering that he joined for free and contributed a lot, he now asks for the transfer fee, which makes him feel a little disrespectful. If he was younger and at the heart of the plan, maybe we would try to keep him, but he told the head coach that he had a very good opportunity. Christensen also talked a few weeks ago that something like Inigor could have happened, but there is nothing to blame for.

Q: Eric Garcia's contract expires in 2026, and he is already a key player under the head coach. What progress has been made in renewal?

A: In discussion.

Q: Is it optimistic?

A:  Should be optimistic. We hope to maintain a salary system that meets the market conditions. Now the salary level is reasonable among European giants. The club will make a quote, which will be decided by the players and agents.

Q: Christensen's contract also expires in 2026, and he clearly stated that he wants to stay in Barcelona.

A: For Christensen, we take a gradual approach. His first season was amazing, and his injury later had a great impact. We need to check out his performance this season before discussing. He is a top player and there is no need to get all the contract renewals done in October.

Q: The Ferran Torres contract only expires in 2028, but he has made great progress recently. Have you considered renewing his contract with him in advance?

A: Ferran contributed a lot to the team, not only on the court, but also very contagious in the locker room. It is too early to discuss renewal, and it will naturally be dealt with when the time is ripe.

Q: Lewandowski will expire next summer, and he himself accepted that this may be the last season. Is it possible to replicate the kind of character Stuiani in Girona?

A: Don't compare this...Lewandow is the best forward in my heart in recent years and a model of all-round phenomena. Except for Ronaldo, few players can reach his level. His training culture, rigorous attitude and professional spirit are all worthy of respect. Because of this, we need to go step by step, rather than discussing this matter publicly. He is smart enough to talk at the right time.

Q: Do you treat Ferran Torres as the main center?

A: He is moving towards the center. Most of his goals reflect the characteristics of center.

Q: After Inigo left, the team lacked a left-footed central defender. Are you considering introducing it?

A:  Excellent central defender is very important. If it's the left foot, it's better. But Eric can play multiple positions, so can Paul Kubarsi. If you meet the right person in the future, you will consider it, but this is not an obsession, and now is not the time to discuss it.

Q: It's time for the national team game day again. Last time, the Spanish Football Association made a little unpleasant deal with Yamal, and Frick publicly complained that he was not properly cared for. Do you have a plan to communicate with the Football Association to avoid being nervous again?

A: No contradiction. This opportunity should be taken to improve it instead of hyping up controversy all the time. The Spanish national team is very important to Barcelona, ​​and Barcelona is the same for the national team. We have a lot of players selected, which shows that we are doing a good job. Having many international players is the pride of a world-class team.

We have no disputes with the Football Association, and we have already communicated what to do. After my talks with Kalanka, I will improve the process and communication mechanism. After the player is selected, it is up to the head coach to decide. We don’t want to have an opposition to the Football Association, the communication channels are smooth, and some details may not be in place before.

If I were Frick and knew that Lamin could not play in the back game, I would be angry; if I were Drafuent, I would also be sent to Lamin to win. This has always been like this. The key is that all national team competitions are now formal competitions. It’s not a problem to improve communication and make the process smooth.

Q: How many points did you give your job as a sports director yet?

A: I don't give myself a rating, I just focus on helping the club grasp the present and plan for the future. It is unrealistic to win the championship every year, especially when facing Real Madrid, which has been strengthening. We have experienced a period of transformation, and now Barcelona is now competitive, which can create opportunities to win. The responsibilities of the sporting director are to extend the competitive cycle as much as possible and find solutions through internal potential and external signings - because our work is not only in the summer, every day's decisions affect the team.

Q: About your own future: Your contract expires next summer, you said that you will advance and retreat with Laporta. But Frick, who came with you and the Chairman, has renewed his contract until 2027. If you receive a renewal proposal, will you accept it?

A: If the board of directors changes, the concept will be different. I think this excellent work should continue for a few more years. If someone else comes, I will leave.

My plan is tied to the Chairman, and if he leaves, the concept will be over. This is not a question of whether to renew the contract or not. I don’t need to find a job, it is a question of whether the concept can be continued.

Q: Vittor Rock was a bet between you and the club, but he didn't meet expectations and now he has regained the goal feeling in Palmeiras. How to evaluate this operation?

A: The way I work focuses on the accuracy of concepts. At that time, we evaluated with the coaching staff and Boyan: considering Lewandowski's age, a center needs to be introduced (Ferran mainly played on the wing at the time). When Rock joined, the environment was not friendly to the newcomers - we just won the league, and when he came the winter window, the coach had already announced that he would leave at the end of the season.

Looking back, maybe it should be convinced that the coach is not the best time. Rock joined the team during a difficult time and became the target of public criticism, but it was by no means his fault. Now I'm glad he's getting back in shape and he's happily scoring.