5️⃣ La Masia starlets ready to become Barcelona legends 👶 | OneFootball

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Phil Costa·16 January 2020

5️⃣ La Masia starlets ready to become Barcelona legends 👶

Article image:5️⃣ La Masia starlets ready to become Barcelona legends 👶

Ernesto Valverde out, Quique Setién in.

The 61-year-old has plenty to do but first on his agenda? Freshen things up.


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Here are five La Masia graduates who are ready to become Barcelona legends …


Riqui Puig

Article image:5️⃣ La Masia starlets ready to become Barcelona legends 👶

We’ll start with someone that isn’t a stranger, but might as well have been one to Valverde.

Riqui Puig has enjoyed two successful pre-seasons with Barça, matched the technical level required and even pitched in with goals and assists.

But the midfielder hasn’t been given opportunities to impress. A loan (and bulking up) could work wonders, but he is clearly ready to contribute.


Jandro Orellana

Article image:5️⃣ La Masia starlets ready to become Barcelona legends 👶

Jandro Orellana has been described as the ‘architect of La Masia’ and it’s easy to understand why.

The 19-year-old is a graceful central midfielder, equally as adept at driving with the ball as he is dictating it.

His awareness and ability to wriggle away from pressure is always impressive, and Setién should look to start integrating him.


Jorge Cuenca

Article image:5️⃣ La Masia starlets ready to become Barcelona legends 👶

In amongst all the gifted and talented, you need a brutish defender at the back commanding things.

That’s where Jorge Cuenca comes in. His no-nonsense style is a throwback to Carles Puyol and, for 90 minutes, all you hear is him shouting.

Don’t let that hard exterior fool you. The 20-year-old can whip an outrageous diagonal and could definitely rival Samuel Umtiti or Clément Lenglet this term.


Ilaix Moriba

Article image:5️⃣ La Masia starlets ready to become Barcelona legends 👶

Another central midfielder this time, but Ilaix Moriba is just as talented as Orellana – if not more.

Already standing at 6ft 1in tall, the 16-year-old dominates games with power and speed in midfield, driving forward at every opportunity.

But he also boasts unique technical ability, great control and composure in front of goal, already embarrassing goalkeepers with ‘YouTube worthy’ goals.


Zacarias Ghailán

Article image:5️⃣ La Masia starlets ready to become Barcelona legends 👶

We’ve seen this story before. Insanely talented winger, quick, skilful, lacking end product?

Let us introduce you to Zacarias Ghailán. He can play on either flank or as a number ten, and ghosts past players for fun.

The 17-year-old is also extremely diligent defensively and aware of his full-back making overlapping runs – and is certainly one to watch out for.