La Masia’s most promising
Eric, my totalBarca colleague, recently suggested I write an article on the club’s most promising talents. I told him it was something I would definitely work on at some point. So with the start of the Spanish youth season just around the corner, it was time to oblige. In this article, I discuss the 15 most promising youngsters at FC Barcelona’s youth ranks between the age group of 11 and 18, with a bit of insight on their playing style, strengths, weaknesses, background and more…
I’d like to note that none of the youngsters from Barca B were considered for this article as, technically, it does not come under the ‘academy’. Also worth noting that comparison’s to any established footballers were made purely with the intention of giving our readers a better idea of the player’s profile and is not an attempt to compare their potential. I can think of atleast 15 more players who could just as easily have staked a claim on this list, but there had to be a limit to the article at some point. Who knows, there might just be a Part 2 of this series at a later date…
Wilfred Kaptoum
Wilfred Kaptoum
Wilfred Kaptoum: When Tata Martino arrived as coach of FC Barcelona, it was said one of the first names he enquired about was 17-year-old midfielder Wilfred Kaptoum. Much to the surprise of many at the club, but to those who have followed Kaptoum over the years with the Barcelona youth ranks, it was hardly a surprise. Kaptoum is a midfielder with an exquisite touch, who started his career at the club as an attacking midfielder but now plays in the Sergio Busquets role as a deeplying pivot. Tactically astute, great skill set for a ‘6’, good ball distribution and with a ‘touch’ as considerate as a mother’s kiss. Kaptoum is one of the two players at the club in the ‘Thiago’ profile (Ayoub is the other) capable of reaching the first team.
Munir el Haddadi: The star of this season’s Juvenil A (U19) side. Munir is a left footed forward capable of slotting in as a “9” or out wide on either wings. Top scorer of the Juvenil B side last season with 23 goals, where he was mostly employed on the right hand side of attack as he often looked to cut-in and unleash a curving effort on goal. When it comes to playing style, Munir resembles most to Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria. One of the four talented Moroccan’s currently in La Masia along with Moha, Ayoub and Imad.
'Rodri', captaining the Spain U17 side in 2012
‘Rodri’, captaining the Spain U17 side in 2012
Rodrigo Tarin: ‘Rodri’ is the standout defender in Spain at his age group and currently the centre-back in the Barcelona academy with most possibilities to reach the first team. He joined La Masia in 2011, and immediately established himself as a star in the Cadet A side of 96” generation. This season he will be playing with the Juvenil A alongside Munir and Kaptoum. Fearless in the tackle, great aerial ability, with an excellent ball output, Rodri has shades of Sergio Ramos in him. He is currently with the Spain U19 national team at the Torneo de L’Alcuda along with club teammates and also talented defenders Xavi Quintilla and Joan Campins, while Juanma Garcia (another very highly rated Spanish youth international) has just recovered from injury and joined the pre-season with Juvenil A. With Jose Suarez in goal and Godswill/Campins, Rodri, Juanma, Quintilla/Fran as the back four, it will be one of the strongest Juvenil A defenses in recent times.
Ayoub Abou: The 98” generation of La Masia boasts of three very special players: Lee, Aleña and Ayoub special. Born in Morocco and moved to Barcelona at the age of 9 to live with his brother Latif, Ayoub is a midfielder in the Iniesta/Zidane profile who is capable of some very very special things with a ball at his feet. From a very young age his superiority has forced the technical staff to play him at a level or two higher to his age group and he will spend the next season at Juvenil B. One can never truly predict the future, but I’ve honestly never seen a 15-year-old who exudes as much elegance and class as Ayoub. A dream footballer.
Ayoub at 12 years age
Ayoub Abou Oulam, a magician from Casablanca
Carles Aleña: My personal pick for midfielder of the season in 2012/13. Aleña is another of the three special players from 98” generation. An attacking midfielder in the mould of Cesc Fabregas with a left foot to die for. I first witnessed Aleña play four years ago with the Benjamin A, at the age of 11, and even at that very young age he always stood out amongst his peers. Hit a suprisingly abnormal growth spurt in 2012 and now stands with a privileged physique that is very similar to that of Ayoub. There is a tranquility and flow about his movement with a ball that is hard to find in many world class professionals, let alone someone of his age. Loves to combine with his teammates with short precision one touch passes, while always looking to pop up in the box and chime in with a goal or two. Currently doing preseason with the Juvenil B in Mexico, despite belonging to the Cadet A age group.
Lee Seung Woo: Arguably the biggest prospect in the academy today along with Ayoub. As Barca tv journalist Jaume Marcet describes him “a striker with a midfielder’s soul.” Lee is a very unique talent. His ability to breeze past defenders with ease, get into goalscoring positions and set up teammates at will have made him a real leader of the 98” generation. Often seen dropping deep into midfield during games, linking up with teammates and driving the ball forwards with his exceptional dribbling and close control, a quality that is reminiscent of Leo Messi. His connection with Aleña is a joy to behold.
Lee
Seung Woo Lee celebrates a goal
In March this year, Lee and a few other internationals were unfairly banned by FIFA from participating in official competitons for the club upon complaints from an “unnamed club”, stating that FIFA laws prevent club’s from signing international footballers under the age of 18. Barca point to the fact it was the Korean FA that offered Lee, and two other footballers Paik and Jang to the club. The issue is yet to be resolved, but these players will continue to train with the club and take part in friendly tournaments until then.
Oriol Busquets: Primarily a defensive midfielder, but is equally adept at centre-midfield or centre-back. Oriol is a tall lanky 14 year-old with privileged physical, technical and leadership qualities and a specialist at scoring long range scorchers. His superiority at the Infantil A was enough to convince the coaching staff to promote him two levels to the Cadet A next season, skipping Cadet B altogether. No, he is not related to Sergio Busquets or Oriol Romeu.
Alex Collado with his MVP award at MIC 2013
Alex Collado with his MVP award at MIC 2013
Alex Collado: A technical marvel. Alex is a refined footballer who relies heavily on his polished technical skills to overcome complicated situations, much like former Valencia man David Silva. Equally capable of slotting in as an attacking midfielder or on either wings and has a wonderful left foot, giving comparisons to the Man City midfielder even more credence. He was awarded MVP for his excellent performances with the Infantil A at last season’s MIC. Needs to work on the physical aspect of his game, but no one can debate the undisputed quality of this player.
Arnau Comas: Like Oriol Busquets for 99” generation, Arnau is the star midfielder and leader of the 2000” generation. Also like Oriol, Arnau is primarily a defensive midfielder who is equally adept at centre-midfield or centre-back. When it comes to playing style, they resemble each other closely too. Both are equally tall, but Arnau with a bit more muscle on him, and to complete the list of their contrasting features, Oriol is a red-head while Arnau is a blonde with a Ronald Koeman look about him.
Abel Ruiz Ortega: The Ibrahimovic of La Masia. Abel is a ‘9’ capable of leaving the audience in absolute awe. Joined from Valencia at the age of 12 last summer and immediately established himself as one of the top strikers at the academy. Possesses an endless repertoir of tricks and flicks, with a lethal right foot, while his great physique enables him to hold off two or three defenders with ease before setting up a teammate.
Abel and Lee enjoying a day out in Barcelona
Abel and Lee, the two star strikers enjoying a day out in Barcelona
Enric Martinez: There is no dearth of top quality centre-midfielder’s in the academy, and Enric is a standout in this position. He belongs to the same age group as Arnau and Abel, and came to the academy with Abel from Valencia. A midfielder born and bred in the touch based possession game, Enric is a real team player and very Xavi-like in his playing style. Was voted MVP of the Torneo de Arousa last year where he shone infront of the watchful eyes of Vicente del Bosque.
Takefusa Kubo: The crown jewel of many great “cracks” from the 2001 generation, who last season was part of the team many (including myself) consider the greatest Alevin A side in history. ‘Take’ joined La Masia from the club’s FCB Fukuoka academy in Japan and is undisputedly one of our biggest prospects today. What he lacks in physique, he makes up for it with incredible technical qualities, intelligence and ability to maneuver the ball in tight spaces. While he can often get pushed around by much stronger built opponents, an inevitable growth spurt, which usually tends to occur late in Asian kids, will no doubt see him overcome this issue with time. Top scorer of the academy this season with 79 goals.
"Take" and "Ansu"
“Take” and “Ansu”
Anssumane Fati: The Yin to Take’s Yang. Despite being an attacking midfielder one can easily be forgiven for assuming ‘Ansu’ as a striker. Compliments Take perfectly on the pitch, with a slightly more physical approach to the game. But the Guinea born youngster’s repertoire dosen’t end there, far from it, he possesses fantastic vision and skill set and is capable of leaving one spellbounded with moments of utter brilliance. Was the top scorer in the recently concluded Torneo de Arousa, one of the most prestigious youth tournaments in Spain, despite being a year younger than his opponents.
Adrià Bernabé: As if the “best Alevin A side in history” tagline wasn’t enough, the club decided to go one up and add the best Spanish midfielder of the 2001 generation to the team by signing Espanyol midfielder Adrià Bernabé this summer. Voted MVP of almost every youth tournament he played in last season, Bernabé will compliment Ansu, Take and Adrià Altimira in attack, while adding more style and panache to the Infantil B midield. One of the signings of the summer at La Masia.
Eric Garcia: Another gem from this famous 2001 generation of La Masia. Unlike Take, Ansu and Bernabe, Eric is a centre-back. The leader of this great generation and the best defender in Spain at his age group. He’s the tallest player in the team, with great ball output, superb anticipation and an excellent tackle. Erik has it all to make it at the very top. The true depth of this 2001 generation can only be understood when you realize the fact I’ve yet to mention names like Adria Altimira, Nico, Nil, Arnau, Marco, Amor, Ivan, Mortimer. All standout players at this age group in Spain. A truly astonishing generation.
at that Osvaldo comparison
