Eight La Masia talents Hansi Flick will call up for Barcelona pre-season – an overview
In just his first season at the club, Hansi Flick made it clear that he seriously counts on the academy and understands the culture La Masia brings to the team’s success.
With the next pre-season just weeks away, the manager has already identified players to bet on for the upcoming season, just as he provided Gerard Martin and Fermin Lopez with his faith last term.
The selected players are expected to travel with the team for the pre-season tour of Asia and eight such youngsters are on the manager’s mind. Here is a breakdown of the talents Flick has his eyes on.
Landry Farre
The 18-year-old Ivory Coast-born star is seen as a massive talent in the academy and a potential future right-back for Barcelona. What makes him special is his physicality which makes him a force to reckon with at the back.
Moreover, Farre has a dominant aerial presence that the first team currently lacks at the back and thus presents a valuable profile to Hansi Flick.
Jofre Torrents
Jofre Torrents is seen as a top talent. (Photo courtesy: X/FCBMasia)
The academy’s star left-back is seen as one who can make it big and even serve as a backup for Alejandro Balde next season for his versatility, defensive prowess and attacking flair.
He is fast, reliable on the ball and possesses immense quality in his left foot which makes him a pleasure to watch dance down the flank. Regular injuries and some defensive errors, however, present him with areas to reinforce.
Ibrahim Diarra
The 18-year-old Juvenil A player plays as a right-interior midfielder but has great versatility and can operate as a forward.
His ability to progress the ball into attacking areas, make runs into the final third and provide an attacking outlet makes him a valuable bet for pre-season, although he does have areas to work on in terms of ball handling.
Toni Fernandez
Toni Fernandez is admired by Hansi Flick. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
A 16-year-old sensation, Toni has been seen as La Masia’s next big phenomenon for a few years now. He is primarily a winger by trade but can also operate as a false-nine or an attacking midfielder based on the situation.
His technical quality, dribbling prowess and awareness in the box, along with a great left foot, make him a great bet for the future and one can expect him to have a great chance of showing his skill in pre-season. In many ways, he is seen as La Masia’s greatest upcoming bet.
With Hansi Flick already having shown trust in him, it only appears to be a matter of time before he makes it big.
Guille Fernandez
The cousin of Toni, Guille Fernandez is an equally bright prospect in the academy who is seen as a long-term bet. A breakthrough in pre-season, however, cannot be ruled out.
While he is primarily a midfielder by trade, the youngster has an ability to operate as a right interior or a winger. He is a very powerful and technical midfielder and has a goal in him as well.
Juan Hernandez
Juan Hernandez is one to watch out for. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
The 17-year-old midfielder is one who has also caught Hansi Flick’s eye and could have a chance to prove his worth next month. What makes him special is the ease with which he dances past defenders and his decision-making in front of goal.
Severe competition for a place in the team in the same position may be a bottleneck, but the youngster definitely has the quality to make it big.
Pedro Fernandez ‘Dro’
Another midfield-attacking hybrid, ‘Dro’ is a left-interior who can operate on the wing or in a central position as well.
His technical skill and ability to create imbalances make him an asset on the field. However, there is potential for him to improve on his physicality and his contributions in terms of goals and assists.
Jan Virgili
Jan Virgili has caught the attention of Flick. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Virgili was most recently in the news for pioneering Spain’s breathtaking win over Germany to progress to the finish of the U-19 Euros and he is, thus, seen as one of the country’s biggest talents.
He is primarily a left-winger but can also operate on the right side on need. His ability to spread the game in terms of width and create threats out wide made him special and a great bet to add depth to the department
