Fermin Lopez Supports Deco's Decision on Barcelona's No. 9

The scoreline said 5-0, the mood said something more: calm, controlled, and quietly confident. After Barcelona dismantled Elche in the second round of the 2026/27 La Liga season, Fermin Lopez stepped in front of the microphones and made one thing clear — the dressing room is leaving the big decisions to Deco.

Trust in Deco, trust in the squad

Questions about a potential new No. 9 surfaced almost as soon as the final whistle went. Lopez didn’t bite. Instead, he pushed the spotlight upstairs.

On the subject of signing a striker, he said he believes Deco will do what is best for Barcelona, underlining that the sporting director is the one charged with shaping the squad. Lopez highlighted that there are already options within the current group and stressed that decisions over transfers are not for the players to make.

The message was deliberate: the squad backs the structure, and any move for a new centre-forward will come from those “responsible at the club,” not from noise in the dressing room.

A performance to build on

Lopez’s reflections on the Elche win matched the scoreline. He said Barcelona finished the match feeling good, praised how the team executed their attacks, and described the overall display as strong. For him, the 5-0 wasn’t a one-off statement, but a standard to maintain.

The demand from inside the camp is simple — keep going the same way. Keep working. Keep pushing.

Fighting for rhythm

Away from the transfer talk, Lopez also opened up on his own condition. The midfielder admitted he ended the game exhausted and needs to continue regaining his match rhythm after a draining summer.

He called the off-season “very tough” for him, a reminder that even in a comfortable win, players are still chasing peak sharpness. The solution, in his eyes, is the same as for the team: more work, more minutes, more rhythm.

Barcelona’s attack just hit five without a new No. 9 on the pitch. Deco will decide if that’s enough.