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2017/18 FC Barcelona Player Profiles: Carles Alena

By Taryn Schofield

DUBLIN, IRELAND - JULY 30: Carles Alena (R) of Barcelona and Tomas Rogic (L) of Celtic during the International Champions Cup series match between Barcelona and Celtic at Aviva Stadium on July 30, 2016 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
DUBLIN, IRELAND - JULY 30: Carles Alena (R) of Barcelona and Tomas Rogic (L) of Celtic during the International Champions Cup series match between Barcelona and Celtic at Aviva Stadium on July 30, 2016 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) /
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Following his performances on the US Tour, Barca may have a reliable young talent for the 2017/18 season in La Masia product, Carles Alena.

As an eventful summer comes to a close and FC Barcelona prepare for a new season, players will look to solidify their places on the first team. One player who impressed during preseason, particularly the US Tour was La Masia product Carles Alena. The 19-year-old renewed his contract back in June, after being linked in with a move to Tottenham, agreeing to a one-year deal.

It seems this season will be the pinnacle in determining Alena’s long-term future with the club. If Ernesto Valverde shows faith in him, and Alena performs, an extended career at Barcelona could be in the future for the youngster before he and his talent is swept away by another club.

The Youngster Had a Solid Preseason

During Barca’s US Tour, Alena was given his first opportunity to show his worth to Valverde. Although preseason friendlies can often be less competitive, Barca did end up facing some strong squads. Juventus, Manchester United, and Real Madrid are among the teams Barca faced. When he came into the matches, Alena held his own in some fast-moving periods in the midfield. He specifically looked impressive against Juventus, where he did well distributing and creating chances in the center of the pitch. Alena looked comfortable and poised, something that may be a pleasant sight to Valverde. He also looked sharp at Barcelona’s open practice in Red Bull Arena.

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During the shooting drill the team did, he was by far the best finisher in his group, and he blended in nicely with the big names in the squad. A spectator would not be able to know that he was the youngster in the group. Although preseason does not always mean much, Alena’s performance and choice to stay at the club may allow Valverde to show more faith in him. It will be interesting to see if Alena gets any time in the upcoming matches to start the La Liga season.

Barca Has Great Talent in Yet Another La Masia Product

Alena is a youngster that Barcelona can use to go back to showing faith in its La Masia products. Unlike Muniesa or Deulofeu, Barca can look to develop Alena further on the first team and not have to loan him out or sell him. Giving Alena a chance on the first team can set back the trend of developing and trusting our La Masia products. It can not be forgotten that the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Messi and Pique are products of Barca’s farm system.

2017/18 Will Be Important for Alena

DUBLIN, IRELAND – JULY 30: Carles Alena (L) of Barcelona and Moussa Dembele (R) of Celtic during the International Champions Cup series match between Barcelona and Celtic at Aviva Stadium on July 30, 2016 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
DUBLIN, IRELAND – JULY 30: Carles Alena (L) of Barcelona and Moussa Dembele (R) of Celtic during the International Champions Cup series match between Barcelona and Celtic at Aviva Stadium on July 30, 2016 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) /

With the absence of Neymar, and a shallow bench when it comes to the midfield, Carles Alena has an opportunity to gain more minutes with the first team this season. Even if he just trains with them and is an option on the bench most of the time, training in an atmosphere with Messi, Iniesta, Pique, Suarez, etc. will only make him better.

It seems that the 2017/18 season will be a decisive one in Alena’s career. He will either progress and prove himself on the first team, or like many other La Masia products, he will struggle to make the squad for each match.

Next: Latest on Dembele, Turan

Overall, Carles Alena will have the opportunity to succeed at Barca. If he excels, he will likely extend upon his 1-year contract and become a staple in the squad, like Sergi Roberto. If this season is another struggle for Alena, it is likely he may transfer and find a club that will give him more minutes.