Full Breakdown
Anthony Gordon and Barcelona’s Early Return to Training Ahead of the New Season
8/10/2026, 2:27:13 PM
Early Return of New Signing and Young Stars
On Sunday, new signing Anthony Gordon joined an individual training session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper alongside Gavi, Joan Garcia and Eric Garcia, who had also ended their post-World Cup vacations early. According to Barcablaugranes, the trio’s presence on the pitch was ahead of the schedule that had originally slated their return for the following Wednesday.
Preseason Schedule and Upcoming Fixtures
Barcelona’s preseason programme includes a friendly against FC Basel in Switzerland the next Sunday and the annual Joan Gamper Trophy versus Al-Ahly on August 19 at Camp Nou. The club will then have ten days to prepare for its La Liga opener away to Elche on August 23. These dates are confirmed by the Barcablaugranes schedule overview.
Coaching Staff’s Preparation Plan
Head coach Hansi Flick approved a rest day for the squad after the triangular tournament in Udine, during which Barcelona were defeated 1-0 by Udinese. FC Barcelona notes that while the rest of the squad enjoyed the day off, Flick arranged individual sessions for Gordon, Joan and Eric, pairing gym work with ball drills. The coaching staff has scheduled double training sessions for the upcoming Wednesday and Thursday to fine-tune the team ahead of the Basel friendly, as outlined in the club’s official communications.
Impact on Squad Readiness
The early integration of Gordon and the two young defenders gives Barcelona an extended preparation window before competitive matches begin. Barcablaugranes highlights that the full first-team squad will reconvene on Wednesday, allowing the coaching staff to assess fitness levels and tactical cohesion during the ten-day lead-up to the Elche opener. This accelerated return aims to ensure that the new signing and emerging talents are match-ready for the start of the season.