Szczesny has done his part during his first days as a Barça player. The Polish goalkeeper is ready to fight for his place and is delighted with the level he's seen among his teammates. One in particular has surprised him: Pau Cubarsí.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Szczesny was full of praise for the young center-back: "Watching a match live is very different from watching it on television... and then when you watch it from the stadium you can see the way the players behave."
"Pau Cubarsi has been impressive for me. After watching him on TV I expected him to be a modern type of defender who is compatible with the ball, but softer. When you see him in person, he is actually not soft at all and makes very good decisions," said Szczesny.
The Polish goalkeeper added: "He is good with the ball because his technical quality is very high, but his defensive qualities are even much higher."
Far from stopping there, Szczesny concluded: "I look forward to teaming up with Pau Cubarsí. I was very impressed by him, the same for the other defenders."
Iñigo Martínez will Lose his Starting Position
Even a newcomer knows who is untouchable in the current Barça. With Ronald Araujo due to recover in a few weeks, everything seems to indicate that the big loser in the starting eleven will be Íñigo Martínez.
Despite his excellent shape, the Basque center-back is likely to lose his place as a starter at Barça, with his current teammate in defense, Pau Cubarsí, remaining untouchable. With Ronald Araújo recovering, the Uruguayan player will return to the starting eleven and will do so, moreover, wearing the captain's armband.
This means that, once Araujo recovers, he will take the place of Íñigo Martínez, who still wants to continue fighting for a starting position... although he knows that he will be relegated to the background.
In any case, what is clear is that, no matter what Szczesny says, Íñigo Martínez will continue to be relevant: Seasons are very long. The Basque (if he stays healthy) will be the main option to give rest to both Pau Cubarsí and Ronald Araújo.
What remains to be seen is what will happen with Íñigo Martínez when Christensen also recovers and everyone is healthy. With one year left on his contract, his future remains uncertain.