6 La Masia' Players that will BLOW UP under Hansi Flick at FC Barcelona
Barcelona's preparations for the new season officially begin on July 10!
Expectations are sky-high: a new manager, new realities, and new hopes for players who dream of making it in the first team!
Today we will tell you about 5 Barcelona reserve players who might surprise everyone in the upcoming season under the guidance of Hansi Flick!
Hit the like button if you support Blaugrana and let's dive into it! Here we go!
Marc Casadó
Marc Casado is one of those footballers whose role will increase significantly next season.
From Barca Atletic captain to a first-team rotation player, this was the role the Spanish goliaths’ management offered him when signing a new contract that runs until the summer of 2028.
Marc is a product of the club, a player who occupied two positions in the 2023/24 campaign at Xavi's request: right inverted defender with constant shifts to the center of the midfield, and defensive midfielder, a position that is "native" to the 20-year-old.
Like any La Masia graduate, he possesses an outstanding passing ability and has a good understanding of the system of play used by the Catalans. Among his advantages are leadership qualities - there is a reason he is the captain of Barça Atletic.
The guy's high class was noticeable even before the 2023/24 season, while he was also recommended by many to join a La Liga side on a loan deal in order to gain the necessary experience of top-level games. However, Casado decided to compete for his place in the first team and he eventually got there, making 4 appearances - sure, these were not the numbers of Yamal, Cubarsi, Fort, or Guiu, yet the youngster still managed to make a name for himself.
While performing for Barca Atletic, Casado acted as the team's sole leader, giving his best in the battle for promotion to the Segunda second division, which was eventually lost to Cordoba. Just look at him crying after losing in the second leg of their promotion play-off final. THIS GUY WILL FIGHT FOR BARCELONA FOR ALL 200%!
Marc is a real culer and for Barça, prospects like him will always be the type of players the first team needs. In times of financial problems, it is these graduates with a heart for the club that will BRING BARCELONA BACK TO THE TOP!
By the way, here's what Casado said after inking his new contract: "This is every little kid's dream". Marc is obsessed with Barça and will do the IMPOSSIBLE for them!
Hansi Flick has been monitoring Casado for quite a while and was impressed by his capabilities - it was the new coach who insisted on promoting Marc to the first team based on last season's results. So, get ready to see a new monster in Barça's midfield, in a problematic position! Or maybe we will see Kimmich's reincarnation at Barcelona if Casado will be operating as a right-back. Anything is possible - sky is the limit for this young beast!
Marc Bernal
Marc Bernal. Remember the name! This 17-year-old is destined for greatness!
Here are a few facts about this beast:
-Before the start of last season, Joan Laporta included Bernal's name in the list of footballers who could potentially replace Sergio Busquets;
-Marc immediately leaped through the Juvenil level and was transferred to Barça Atlétic;
-throughout the season, the player made 36 appearances, scoring 2 goals and delivering 6 assists;
-he took part in the U-17 World Cup and the U-17 European Championship;
-Bernal made his debut in the UEFA Youth League at the age of 16 and became the third player of his age to achieve this feat after Lamine Yamal and Guille Fernández;
-he is recognized as the main progress of the season in the Barcelona fan community;
IS THIS NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU?
Well, it's enough for us to realize that a new diamond is emerging, which could soon take its rightful spot in the Spanish giants' first team.
Bernal can cover two areas in the midfield: defensive midfielder and central midfielder. His style of play is very similar to that of Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino - Hansi Flick, by the way, is pretty impressed with the latter, but why spend money when the youth squad has his regen, whose prospects may be even higher?
Marc feels most comfortable when positioned as a box-to-box midfielder, having freedom of movement on the pitch and shocking the opposition with his involvement in attacks. His strengths are anthropometry/physique, passing, creativity, and shooting.
Bernal will do well in Flick's traditional 4-2-3-1 tactical formation - he is at his best when paired with a more defense-oriented midfielder, similar to how he performed at Barca Atletic alongside Marc Casado. However, there may be attempts to transform him into a "new Busquets" for the first team. Hansi Flick is counting on the lad and will certainly give him a chance during the preseason tour.
Andrés Cuenca
17-year-old centre-back Andres Cuenca could become another sensation in the upcoming season.