Europa Press, E-Noticies Surprise signing, from Barça to PSG, Luis Enrique asks for the new Lamine Yamal
Barça's La Masia is producing talent again, and Luis Enrique wants to seize the opportunity
La Masia is, without a doubt, the best talent factory in the world. A CIES study places it in second place behind Benfica's academy, but the truth is that the Barça youth system has proven to be the most prolific. Among its products are names like Lamine Yamal, Messi, Piqué, Xavi, Busquets, or Cubarsí, among others.
Barça makes the most of La Masia with a structured and demanding process. On a daily basis, Hansi Flick promotes the integration of young players with the first team and encourages them to train alongside the senior players to accelerate their development. The club knows that it's not enough to produce talent; it must offer opportunities in official matches so they can establish themselves at the elite level.
Not everyone has a place
Flick insists that Barça's youngest players train with the first team so they can absorb the highest level of demands from an early age. A clear example is Dro Fernández, who started in the Champions League against Olympiacos thanks to this integration philosophy. These kinds of decisions reinforce the idea that Barça not only develops but also bets on its youth system.
However, this strategy presents obvious challenges for the Catalan club. With a squad of 25 players, incorporating all the talents that emerge from La Masia is impossible without creating tensions. In this context, Barça is forced to manage and, at times, accept that some prospects consider other options.
Juan Hernández, the new Lamine Yamal from La Masia who's targeting PSG
In Barça's reserve team, the name Juan Hernández is gaining momentum. This attacking midfielder from La Masia is described as the new Lamine Yamal of Barça thanks to his vision, dribbling ability, and offensive versatility. However, despite being one of the greatest prospects in European soccer, he still hasn't had the chance to make his debut under Flick.
His contract with Barça expires on June 30, 2026, and he hasn't renewed yet. This situation opens the door for PSG, coached by Luis Enrique, to use their financial power to pay about €6 million ($6.5 million) in January and secure his signing. If Flick doesn't include him in Barça's first team soon, Juan Hernández could pack his bags in the coming weeks.
For now, Barça will try to renew Juan Hernández with the promise that he'll soon get minutes with the senior team. That's the only way to take PSG out of the equation.
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