Just a few weeks ago, FC Barcelona 's goalkeeping situation was anything but straightforward.
Inaki Pena , Ander Astralaga and Aron Yaakobishvili had all returned from loan spells, the club needed to find a solution for Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Diego Kochen 's future was still uncertain.
The picture has gradually become much clearer, and it has opened the door for 18-year-old Iker Rodríguez to emerge as Barcelona 's third goalkeeper, reports SPORT .
The La Masia youngster has come through an intense summer competition for the position and has moved ahead of several goalkeepers who appeared to have the advantage only weeks ago.
That has not happened by chance. Barcelona have been closely managing Rodríguez's development for some time and believe he is now ready to take the next step.
He is regarded internally as a well-rounded goalkeeper with natural qualities that have consistently stood out.
Set for a big step up. (Picture credit: Instagram/@ikerrodriguez.01)
Rodriguez, a Spain U-18 international who stands 1.87 metres tall, was called up by Hansi Flick just days after pre-season began.
That gave him several weeks to work with the first-team staff, learn from goalkeeper coach Jose Ramon de la Fuente and show what he could offer. During that period, the goalkeeping picture changed dramatically.
Pena was transferred to Panathinaikos, while Astralaga left as a free agent. Meanwhile, Barcelona also sent Diego Kochen on loan to Danish club Lyngby.
The Catalans had initially begun pre-season with Wojciech Szczesny , Ter Stegen and Yaakobishvili. Then Rodriguez joined the group.
Soon after, Ter Stegen joined Ajax on loan. Yaakobishvili, meanwhile, was one of six players who trained separately on Tuesday as he looks for a new destination .
That leaves Szczesny and Rodriguez as the only two goalkeepers currently training with the main group, indicating that the latter is ready to step up as the third-choice.
Rated highly within the club (Picture credit: Instagram/@ikerrodriguez.01)
There is another candidate in the background. Barça Atletic goalkeeper Eder Aller also remains an option, meaning the position isn't necessarily set in stone.
But Rodriguez has a significant advantage: he has already spent three weeks working day-to-day with Flick's coaching staff.
Inside the club, his personality and composure have also made a strong impression. Some within Barcelona have even drawn comparisons with Victor Valdes , an enormous compliment given the former goalkeeper's importance and legacy at the club.
Rodriguez still has a long way to go before he can be compared with Valdes, but surviving the extraordinary turnover in Barcelona's goalkeeping department this summer is an achievement in itself.
Now, after winning his place through a demanding pre-season, he has an important season ahead of him and a genuine opportunity to establish himself as part of Barcelona's first-team setup.
