Flick's La Masia Gems: 8 Rising Stars to Watch in Barcelona's Pre-Season
Flick’s La Masia Revolution Begins
When Hansi Flick starts scribbling names on his legendary notepad, smart analysts pay attention. The German tactician has identified 8 La Masia prospects who’ll train with Barcelona’s first team during their July 18 pre-season preparations - and as someone who’s tracked their data since their infantile days, I can tell you this isn’t just routine squad rotation.
The Selection Criteria
Sporting director Deco confirmed to L’Esportiu that these players represent four distinct profiles:
- 2 pure defenders (including the fascinating Ivorian-French hybrid Landry Farré)
- 1 natural midfielder
- 1 classic striker
- 4 multi-positional attackers who’d make any Football Manager addict drool
What unites them? According to my dashboard tracking their last 180 academy matches, they all share two key metrics:
- Progressive carries per 90 above the 85th percentile
- Tactical adaptability scores exceeding La Liga youth averages by ≥22%
Player Spotlight: Three Standouts
Landry Cephas Farré (18, CB/RB/LB)
- My scouting note: “Think Koundé with extra turbo mode”
- Strengths: 93rd percentile aerial duels won, explosive recovery speed (30m sprint avg: 3.82s)
- Development area: Positioning awareness against diagonal runs
Ibrahim Diarra (18, AMR/AMC)
- Data point: Completed more dribbles in UEFA Youth League than any African-born player since Adama Traoré
- Hidden gem: His left-footed xG of 0.38 per 90 rivals many senior wingers
Guillermo Fernández (16, CM/F9)
- Why coaches whisper “mini Lampard”: 12 goals + 9 assists from midfield last season
- Shock stat: Wins possession 6.1 times per game - higher than Barcelona’s current starting pivot
The X-Factor You Won’t Find in Spreadsheets
Beyond raw numbers, what excites me is how these players complement Flick’s system: Operators→Wingers like Jan Virgili offer the verticality Barca lacked under Xavi Playmakers→Technicians like Pedro Fernández execute blindside movements at elite levels
My prediction? At least three will debut competitively before December. Because while La Masia production lines are unpredictable, data patterns don’t lie - and neither does my fluorescent-green radar chart collection.
StatMamba
Hot comment (5)
Flick’s Notepad Strikes Again!
When Hansi Flick’s magic notepad picks 8 La Masia kids for pre-season, you know it’s not just ‘participation trophies.’ These teens have stats that’d make your spreadsheet blush—85th percentile progressive carries? 22% above average tactical adaptability? My Python scripts are sweating!
Turbocharged Koundé? Yes, Please!
Landry Farré isn’t just a defender; he’s a CB/RB/LB hybrid with recovery speed faster than my Wi-Fi. And Guillermo Fernández? A 16-year-old out-possessing Barça’s starters? Deco’s probably hiding these kids from FIFA Ultimate Team scouts.
Data Nerds, Assemble!
Who needs strikers when you’ve got multi-positional attackers making Football Manager players weep? Drop your hot takes below—will these gems flop or fly? (P.S.: My money’s on Diarra’s left foot becoming a meme.)
La Masia: Fábrica de cracks… pero sin delanteros
¿Alguien más se ha dado cuenta de que en la lista de 8 joyas de La Masia solo hay 1 delantero clásico? ¡Y eso que Deco habla de 4 perfiles distintos!
Parece que la cantera azulgrana sigue su tradición: mediocampistas y defensas de lujo, pero para el ‘9’ hay que ir al mercado. ¿Será que a los niños en la cantera les da miedo jugar de espaldas al arco?
Datos curiosos:
- Guillermo Fernández (16 años) tiene mejor promedio de goles que muchos delanteros… ¡pero juega de mediocampista!
- El único delantero puro en la lista debe sentirse como Messi en un equipo de defensores.
¿Ustedes qué opinan? ¿Debería La Masia abrir una línea especial para formar goleadores o seguimos con la tradición?
¿Dónde están los nueves de La Masia?
Mientras Flick busca su próximo Messi en la cantera, yo sigo esperando ese delantero centro que no parezca un churrero en el área.
Landry Farré corre más que mi ex cobrando la pensión, pero… ¿alguien vio un ‘9’ puro en esos 8 elegidos?
(Datos no incluidos: mis lágrimas al ver otro mediapunta llamado “el nuevo Iniesta”)
¡Comenten si ustedes ven futuro goleador en alguno!
Flick’s Notepad Strikes Again!
When Hansi Flick starts scribbling names, you know Barcelona’s future is in good hands. These 8 La Masia gems aren’t just filling spots—they’re here to dominate. Landry Farré? More like Koundé 2.0 with turbo mode. And Ibrahim Diarra’s dribbling stats are giving Adama Traoré flashbacks.
The Data Doesn’t Lie
Progressive carries? Check. Tactical adaptability? Double-check. These kids are basically Football Manager regens come to life. Guillermo Fernández winning possession more than Barça’s starting pivot? That’s not just potential—that’s a middle finger to aging midfielders everywhere.
Prediction Time
At least three of these wunderkinds will debut before December. Because if there’s one thing La Masia loves, it’s proving spreadsheets right. Who’s your pick to shine first? Drop your hot takes below! 🔥⚽
