New Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick praised Lamine Yamal's "unbelievable" performances at Euro 2024, but believes there is still room for improvement in the 17-year-old's game.
Yamal starred for Spain at the recent European Championships, notching five goal involvements at the tournament as La Roja won a record fourth title in Germany.
The Spaniard played 50 games across all competitions for Barcelona last season, scoring seven goals and adding 10 assists in his breakthrough campaign in Catalonia.
"He's done a really great job over the last year," Flick said. "He's improved a lot and step by step he is continuing at this level.
"What he did at the Euros was unbelievable, but now, big players also continue to bring their performances and it is necessary for him to stay with both legs on the ground.
"He's a great guy, I got to speak with him when he arrived and he's now in this team and he can give us those great moments.
"But he can also improve and also he can make things better. This is our part but he is on a really fantastic path."
Flick was finally unveiled as Barcelona's new head coach in a press conference on Thursday after taking over from Xavi back in May.
The 59-year-old previously managed the German national team, also winning seven titles during a two-year spell with Bayern Munich.
Barcelona failed to defend their league crown during the 2023-24 season, finishing second behind Real Madrid, who secured their 36th title as well as a 15th Champions League success.
Flick was quick to temper expectations ahead of his first season in charge, but insisted Barcelona's desire to win trophies was something that attracted him to the position.
"LaLiga is an important competition and I think it's good to work hard before you speak about our big goal," Flick said.
"This club, they always want to play for titles so this is why I am here, why we are always here. Give me some more weeks and I can answer you better.
"This is my job. I am a coach and I am the coach of Barcelona so I know what happens.
"The results are very important but I think at the end, we want to play well of course, but we also want to give everything on the pitch.
"When we are in the match, we have to be well-prepared and then the players have to show the hard work on the pitch - for me that is crucial."
Chiesa is a Juventus player 'for now', says Motta amid transfer links
Thiago Motta insists that Federico Chiesa remains a Juventus player "for now" amid growing uncertainty around his future with the 36-time Serie A champions.
Chiesa, who has made 131 appearances for Juventus, was offered a new deal before the end of last season but is yet to put pen to paper on fresh terms.
The Italian's contract runs out next year with the possibility of Juventus losing him on a free, as the club are eager for the 26-year-old to make a decision.
Chiesa has been of interest to fellow Serie A sides Roma and Napoli, with several Premier League teams also keen to add the Italy international to their ranks.
The Bianconeri are currently preparing for the new season in Germany, but Chiesa not part of Motta's travelling squad.
“He’s part of Juventus at this moment and then we’ll see," Motta told reporters ahead of Juventus' first pre-season friendly against Nuremberg on Friday.
Chiesa played a pivotal role in Juventus' 15th Coppa Italia success against Atalanta in May, also helping the club to a third place finish in Serie A.
He created more chances (54) and recorded more completed dribbles (35) than anyone in the Juventus squad in Italy's top flight, with his nine goals in 33 appearances only bettered by Dusan Vlahovic's 16.
Former Juventus captain Leonardo Bonucci, who played alongside Chiesa in Turin between 2020 and 2023, offered a straightforward response when asked about his former team-mates future at the club.
“I don’t know if Chiesa will stay or leave. I think he needs to understand what he wants,” Bonnuci said.
"In recent years, he had difficulties in terms of physicality and character, now he needs to take another step to become a top player. I hope he will be at Juventus."
Chiesa a Juventus player 'for now', says Motta amid transfer links
Thiago Motta insists that Federico Chiesa remains a Juventus player "for now" amid growing uncertainty around his future with the 36-time Serie A champions.
Chiesa, who has made 131 appearances for Juventus, was offered a new deal before the end of last season but is yet to put pen to paper on fresh terms.
The Italian's contract runs out next year with the possibility of Juventus losing him on a free, as the club are eager for the 26-year-old to make a decision.
Chiesa has been of interest to fellow Serie A sides Roma and Napoli, with several Premier League teams also keen to add the Italy international to their ranks.
The Bianconeri are currently preparing for the new season in Germany, with Chiesa not part of Motta's travelling squad.
“He’s part of Juventus at this moment and then we’ll see," Motta told reporters ahead of Juventus' first pre-season friendly against Nuremberg on Friday.
Chiesa played a pivotal role in Juventus' 15th Coppa Italia success against Atalanta in May, also helping the club to a third place finish in Serie A.
He created more chances (54) and recorded more completed dribbles (35) than anyone in the Juventus squad in Italy's top flight, with his nine goals in 33 appearances only bettered by Dusan Vlahovic's 16.
Former Juventus captain Leonardo Bonucci, who played alongside Chiesa in Turin between 2020 and 2023, offered a straightforward response when asked about his former team-mates future at the club.
“I don’t know if Chiesa will stay or leave. I think he needs to understand what he wants,” Bonnuci said.
"In recent years, he had difficulties in terms of physicality and character, now he needs to take another step to become a top player. I hope he will be at Juventus."
Strasbourg appoint Rosenior as new head coach after Vieira exit
Strasbourg have appointed former Hull City boss Liam Rosenior as their new head coach following the departure of Patrick Vieira.
Vieira left the club by mutual consent last week after overseeing a 13th-place Ligue 1 finish in his only season in charge.
Strasbourg, who are owned by the BlueCo consortium led by Todd Boehly, formed as the investment vehicle for the takeover of Chelsea in 2022, have now turned to Rosenior.
Rosenior was surprisingly sacked by Hull in May after the Tigers missed out on a Championship play-off place by just three points, finishing seventh.
Rosenior, who won seven caps for England's under-21s during his playing career, previously served as Brighton and Hove Albion's assistant manager before enjoying a three-month spell as Derby County's interim manager in 2022.
A statement from Strasbourg president Marc Keller and the board of directors read: "We are pleased to welcome Liam, a young coach known for his ability to make his teams play well and develop his players.
"His arrival will allow Racing to continue to grow. We welcome him to Alsace."
Between Rosenior's arrival in November 2022 and his departure in May, Hull won 108 points from 76 Championship games, a tally only bettered by Middlesbrough and West Brom (124 each).
The Tigers also boasted the division's sixth-best attack in that time, netting 98 goals, and its fourth-best defence among ever-present teams with 86 conceded.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
