Barcelona loanee making strong impression after stunning start to new season

Barcelona have received an encouraging update on Diego Kochen, with the goalkeeper’s impressive start to life at Lyngby strengthening the feeling that his loan move to Denmark is working exactly as intended.

According to SPORT, the 20-year-old has established himself as Lyngby’s first-choice goalkeeper after choosing the newly promoted Danish side as the next step in his development. 

Rather than remaining around the Barcelona setup without regular first-team football, Kochen opted for a move where he could play consistently and work in a possession-based environment.

Two months into the season, that decision is beginning to look increasingly valuable for all parties.

Kochen has made himself indispensable at Lyngby

Kochen has played every minute for Lyngby since arriving and has already produced numbers that have caught Barcelona’s attention.

Barcelona loanee making strong impression after

The Danish club have found life difficult after promotion and currently sit 10th with seven points from their opening nine matches, leaving them in the relegation play-off places. 

Kochen, though, has been one of the more positive aspects of their campaign.

The American has made 24 saves from 40 shots on target, giving Barcelona a clear indication that he is being tested regularly while gaining valuable experience at senior level.

That was precisely the purpose of sending him away on loan. Barcelona wanted Kochen to move somewhere he would be trusted with responsibility rather than simply being another goalkeeper in a squad.

Barcelona could benefit from Kochen’s development

Kochen joined Lyngby on loan with a €1.5 million purchase option, and SPORT indicates that Barcelona are aware the Danish club could eventually activate it.

Diego Kochen is Lyngby’s first-choice goalkeeper. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

That would represent a successful outcome for the original agreement, particularly because Barcelona have retained 40% of the player’s rights. 

His performances in Denmark are therefore increasing his value while protecting the Catalan club’s interest in his future.

Bojan Krkic, who oversees Barcelona’s loaned players, will continue monitoring Kochen’s progress alongside the club’s other loanees and a decision will be made at the end of the season.

For Kochen, the immediate priority is to keep playing and keep improving. His move to Lyngby was designed to give him that platform, and the early evidence suggests he has taken full advantage of it.