Xavi’s time as the Barcelona manager was far from easy. Despite the numerous challenges he faced, one thing he never struggled with was promoting young players from La Masia, Barcelona’s famed youth academy.
Thanks to his dedication to nurturing young talents, players like Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal were able to rise through the ranks.
Now, as Barcelona enters a new era under Hansi Flick, there’s a lot of hope that he will continue to give young players a chance to shine.
While Flick has faced some criticism regarding youth promotion, it’s important to recognize that he has a solid track record of developing young talents.
During his time at Bayern Munich, he helped bring players like Jamal Musiala into the spotlight and adapted Alphonso Davies and Joshua Kimmich to new roles, which has greatly contributed to their success.
Flick is fully committed to his new project at Barcelona and has shown a keen interest in the club’s grassroots level. With that in mind, let’s take a look at five promising La Masia players who could catch Flick’s eye.
Marc Casado –
Casado primarily plays for Barça Atletic but has often been called up for first-team training by Xavi. Barcelona is currently in discussions to extend his contract until at least 2027, showing their faith in his potential for the upcoming season.
It is likely that the club’s sporting department will convey this to Flick, potentially earning Casado regular first-team opportunities.
Marc Bernal –
Seventeen-year-old Bernal is also close to signing a contract extension with Barcelona, indicating he remains a crucial part of their plans.
Despite interest from other Spanish First Division teams and foreign clubs, Bernal is focused on succeeding at Barça.
He is set to participate in pre-season training with the senior team under Flick and aims to make a strong impression on the new coach.
Andres Cuenca –
Known for his role as a left-handed centre-back with excellent ball distribution, Cuenca has caught the eye of many within La Masia.
Xavi previously called up the 16-year-old for first-team training, a significant milestone since he only joined Cadete A in September of last year.
La Masia coaches see him as a future defensive stalwart, especially after overcoming physical issues from last season.
Unai Hernandez –
At 19, Hernandez has already made a mark with seven goals and six assists in 34 matches for Rafa Marquez’s team this season.
Although he has yet to debut for the senior team, his versatility across various positions makes him a valuable asset.
His combative style and attacking threat are reminiscent of Gavi, making him an exciting prospect for Barcelona’s future.
Guille Fernandez –
Despite being only 15 years old, Fernandez is making waves within Barcelona’s youth setup. La Masia staff are optimistic about his future, expecting him to make his senior debut soon.
The pre-season could provide Flick with the perfect opportunity to test Fernandez’s abilities in competitive friendlies, which would be an ideal way to assess his talent.
As Barcelona looks to the future under Hansi Flick, the potential of these young players offers a promising outlook. By nurturing these talents, Flick has the opportunity to build a strong foundation for the club’s success in the years to come.
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