Coutinho, Dembélé or Griezmann: which Barcelona big-money 'flop' would have thrived under Hansi Flick?

Barcelona's inability to properly invest the money from Neymar's blockbuster sale to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 is one of the defining problems of the club's last decade — and three signings in particular helped set the Blaugrana back: Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembélé and Antoine Griezmann.

All three arrived at Camp Nou for colossal fees in the years that followed the Brazilian's departure, and while each enjoyed good moments in blaugrana, all fell well short of the massive expectations attached to their price tags. Just as importantly, each always looked like an awkward fit for the squad and the system in place at the time of their signing.

But times change — and so do coaches. Barcelona now have a manager in Hansi Flick who has displayed a brilliant ability to get the best out of his players, improving virtually every single member of the Blaugrana squad since taking over from Xavi Hernandez two and a half years ago. Which raises a mouth-watering what-if for Culers: what if Flick had gotten hold of those three big-money signings and found a way to extract the very best out of them?

The Flick factor: a manager who improves everyone

The German's golden touch is well documented. As Barca Blaugranes reported in September 2026, former player and coach Lluis Carreras claimed Flick had improved "99 percent" of the Barcelona squad during his time in charge, with Raphinha, Eric Garcia and Gerard Martin among the biggest success stories of his reign.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has been just as complimentary. Speaking in September, he insisted Flick has Barcelona playing at "another level" this season and revealed that the pair enjoy a "spectacular" relationship.

"I love him," the Spain boss said of the German coach.

That track record is precisely what makes the counterfactual so intriguing. Flick has shown he can reshape roles and squeeze extra yards out of wingers, defenders and squad players alike — so which of the club's three costliest misfits might he have unlocked?

Time to talk what could have been

Coutinho's creativity and eye for a spectacular long-range strike, Dembélé's electrifying pace and two-footed threat, Griezmann's intelligence, work rate and versatility — all three possess qualities that would appear, on paper at least, to suit a coach who demands intensity and flexibility from his entire squad. The debate is which one had the best chance to genuinely thrive under Flick, and why.

There is, at least, one live reminder that the gifts never disappeared. Griezmann, now turning out for Orlando City in Major League Soccer, has scored nine goals and provided five assists in 12 MLS appearances in the 2026 season, according to FotMob data — form that suggests the Frenchman's quality was never the issue in Barcelona.

So today's Barca Blaugranes Question of the Day is simple: between Coutinho, Dembélé and Griezmann, which Barcelona big-money "flop" had the best chance to thrive under Hansi Flick — and why?

Now it's over to you! Share your thoughts, opinions and answers in the comments section below.

This article is an opinion discussion piece and reflects the views put forward for debate by Barca Blaugranes.