Dani Olmo: Barcelona and Manchester City Battle for Spain’s Maestro

In every tournament, history repeats itself. Players who perform exceptionally during the Euros or World Cup are eagerly pursued by top clubs, with CEOs looking to boost their teams’ popularity. 

Splashing cash on a potential wonder kid who dazzled in a tournament often seems like a quick fix for underlying issues. This year, the case in point is EURO2024 Champion Dani Olmo.

Nobody would ever dispute Dani Olmo’s excellence; the writer himself is a big fan of the player. His record with Spain at EURO2024 speaks for itself: three goals and two assists, having played six games, despite starting only three. His profile has been essential to Spain’s dynamics, even during the Luis Enrique era. 

Olmo’s blend of a midfielder and attacker allows him to play between the lines, making him a difficult opponent to mark, especially for teams that rely on man-marking.

Name	Daniel Olmo Carvajal
Date of Birth	7 May 1998 (26 y/o)
Position	Attacking midfielder, left winger
Height	1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Current Club	RB Leipzig
Former Clubs	Dinamo Zagreb
Transfer Value	€50M
National Team	Spain, 39 caps

Olmo’s Unique Background

At first glance, Dani Olmo is the typical La Masia product, having honed his skills on Barcelona’s fields and enjoying the facilities of the famous football academy in Catalunya. 

However, unlike many of his peers who stayed in Spain or moved to England, Olmo took an unconventional path. Faced with an excess of stars at Barcelona, he chose not to wait for an opportunity in the first team.

Instead, Olmo ventured eastward, signing for Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia, a destination rarely chosen by Spaniards. His technical brilliance quickly caught the eye of many European clubs, and the Croatians were delighted with Olmo’s performance.

Cultural Adaptation In Zagreb

For many fans (myself included, from a Balkan perspective), Dani Olmo’s seamless adaptation to life at Dinamo Zagreb was both surprising and impressive. Not only did he become instrumental to the club’s success, but he also blended into Croatian culture better than most would have expected from a Spaniard.

What is often thought of as a challenge, became an opportunity for Olmo. He made the effort to learn Croatian and still speaks it fluently. 

When Croatian media bombarded him with questions, he replied in Croatian, despite having the option to respond in English like many foreign players. His dedication to cultural integration endeared him to many, and Croatia holds a special place in his heart.

Olmo’s brilliant displays with Dinamo Zagreb did not go unnoticed. European giant Red Bull Leipzig soon secured his services, bringing him back to one of Europe’s top five leagues. 

Dani Olmo Moves To Leipzig

His first seasons in Germany were nearly flawless, marred only by occasional injuries and a brief lack of confidence in front of goal.

Despite these minor setbacks, Olmo’s performances continued to attract interest from top clubs. His flowing, creative style of play was a perfect fit at RB Leipzig, who capitalized on his unique skill set.

There were little doubts that they were going to be a perfect match. Like many players playing for Red Bull’s groups, Dani Olmo is appositional: He prefers to move fluidly between zones rather than stick to a fixed position. The term “liquid footballer” fits him perfectly.  

Olmo likes to cut inside, isn’t a real winger, and is brimming with technical skill. His ability to take the right touch with his step count allows him to accelerate and deceive opponents, keeping his intentions hidden with the ball at his feet. Considering that Dani Olmo’s youth career started at FC Barcelona’s La Masia, this is hardly surprising. 

Unfortunately, Olmo became a victim of a few injuries, especially after playing under Luis de La Fuente in the Olympics, following a gruelling run to the semifinals of EURO 2020, where Spain lost to Italy. 

Players who participated in both tournaments struggled with consistency due to the overloaded schedule. Pedri faced regular injuries, Gavi spent significant time recovering from a year-long injury, and Mikel Oyarzabal suffered a severe ACL injury.

Olmo’s Success With Spain

Despite his injuries, Dani Olmo has regularly featured for La Roja. At EURO2020, he became Luis Enrique’s main creative engine, often deployed as a false nine.

History might forget his performance against Italy in the semi-finals, but it is a masterclass worth watching for aspiring false nine profiles. Initially, it was assumed that Pedri would lead the creative charge – but his injury against Germany changed the dynamics. 

Olmo stepped up, offering a different kind of creative presence – more of an attacker compared to Pedri’s playmaking role.

Olmo represents a more confident Spain, one that dares to attack and live up to its potential. Despite his recurring club-level injuries, it’s hardly surprising that he continues to feature prominently under Luis de la Fuente.

Strategic Fits: Dani Olmo’s Potential Impact at Barca and City

It’s not surprising that both Manchester City and FC Barcelona want Dani Olmo. However, a return to Barcelona seems unlikely, not due to his past but because of the club’s current needs and financial constraints.

The Catalans are already pursuing Nico Williams, and their finances likely wouldn’t accommodate both arrivals.

Furthermore, with Pedri’s presence, it’s hard to see where Olmo would be guaranteed a starting spot. For both parties, it would be better if they don’t join forces, as romantic as it might seem to the naked eye.

At Manchester City, Olmo’s potential role is also uncertain. The Citizens already boast talents like Phil Foden, Kevin de Bruyne, and Bernardo Silva. Nonetheless, Dani Olmo seems to be the perfectly moldable talent for Pep Guardiola. However, it’s uncertain how much City would be willing to spend to bring him to Manchester, but his potential fit in Guardiola’s fluid and dynamic system could make it worthwhile.

Regardless of which team he joins, Dani Olmo’s future looks bright, and his presence will undoubtedly be felt on the international stage.