RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesHansi Flick led Barcelona to the Spanish title by eight points last season [Getty Images]
As Premier League clubs jet off to the Far East and the United States, Barcelona have made the Midlands their home.
Manager Hansi Flick has brought his La Liga champions to St George's Park in Staffordshire for a training camp this week as their pre-season preparations continue.
Barca's eight World Cup winners - including Lamine Yamal - remain on a break after their triumph with Spain this month, but new signing Karim Adeyemi is included after his summer move from Borussia Dortmund.
In addition to Lamine Yamal, his Spain team-mates Ferran Torres, Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Pedri and Lamine Yamal are also on a post-World Cup break.
Two friendlies against Championship sides await - against Birmingham at St Andrew's on Friday, and against Preston behind closed doors at St George's Park on Monday - with the knock-on effects of the World Cup playing a part in the organising of those matches.
Bringing Barca to St Andrew's
Lionel Messi trained at St George's Park during Barcelona's last visit 12 years ago [Getty Images]
Barcelona ruled out a long-haul tour to the United States because of the World Cup schedule.
As well as missing their Spain stars, they are without another six senior internationals, including England's Anthony Gordon following his £80m move from Newcastle.
Brazil's Raphinha, France's Jules Kounde and Uruguay's Ronald Araujo are absent too.
Having opted out of a transatlantic tour, Barca had spent a large part of the year looking at their options, trying to work around the fact that their players return at different times because of the World Cup.
Birmingham had been speaking to the club for a number of months as they looked to boost their own profile.
The Blues, who missed out on the Championship play-offs last season, have promotion ambitions under chairman Tom Wagner and minority owner and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
Barca decided to come to the UK as they wanted a good standard of opposition as part of their pre-season programme, having previously spent time at St George's Park in 2014 - before they won the Treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Champions League - and then in 2016.
Roma have trained there in the past, while Nantes, Fiorentina and Rangers used the facility last summer.
Ter Stegen in squad despite expected Ajax switch
Marc-Andre ter Stegen spent the second half of last season on loan at Girona, though only played twice before suffering a hamstring injury [Getty Images]
The 30-man squad flew to Birmingham on Monday before training early evening in the Midlands, with Fermín Lopez continuing his recovery from injury.
The midfielder missed out on Spain's World Cup success after breaking his foot against Real Betis in May.
Flick's squad is a mix of senior players, along with others from Barcelona B and the under-19s, including forward Orian Goren who only turned 17 in March.
Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong has travelled despite a knee injury which was expected to keep him out for months.
The 29-year-old damaged the medial collateral ligament in his right knee at the World Cup.
Another surprise inclusion is Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has been expected to move to Ajax on loan. No deal has been struck so the German goalkeeper has travelled to England and could face Birmingham in Friday's game.
Barca had a double session on Tuesday and are training on the pitch reserved for the England senior team.
After their trip to St Andrew's, Barca will take on Preston behind closed doors at St George's Park next Monday.
Paul Heckingbottom's side started their pre-season with a 4-1 win against Northern Premier League Premier Division side Bamber Bridge at the start of the month.
Barca also travel to Italy for two 45-minute matches against Nottingham Forest and Udinese in the Friuli Venezia Giulia tournament on 8 August.
Barcelona squad: Ter Stegen, Fort, Balde, Araujo, Cortes, Guille Fernandez, Toni Fernandez, Farinas, Abdelkarim, Tommy, Xavi Espart, Yaakobishvili, Adeyemi, Christensen, Fermin, M Casado, Gerard Martin, Roony, Tunkara, Torrents, Bernal, Gonzalez, Kluivert, Szczesny, Goren, Gistau, Diarra, Pesquer, Rodriguez, De Jong.
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