Barcelona could lose another La Masia youngster this summer
Riqui Puig could be leaving Barcelona in the summer.
According to Sport, Tottenham are close to agreeing a deal with the talented youngster. Puig is another top midfielder to come through La Masia. He showcased his talent in the UEFA Youth League, which the Catalans won with a 3-0 victory over Chelsea in the final. Puig was a key player in that match and even managed to bag himself a goal right at the end.
The 18-year-old’s contract runs out in the summer and he has been unwilling to extend his stay because of the lack of a clear pathway to the first-team. Barcelona are stacked with midfielders currently, but some aren’t up to the required standard. However, this limits the first-team opportunities for the La Masia graduates. There is a similar issue with the B team as external players have been brought in to try and ensure they stay in the Segunda division.
Carles Alena is much further along in his development, but he will only graduate to the senior team next season. This will have served as a warning for the youngsters coming through. Jordi Mboula and Sergi Gomez are just some of the top La Masia talents to have moved abroad recently.
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Arthur’s arrival in the near future also suggests that the club are looking externally to improve the midfield. The Brazilian adds another obstacle for the Barcelona youngsters aiming for a first-team place. Therefore, offers from other big European clubs are likely to be enticing. Tottenham are the ideal club for Puig to join because he will develop under Mauricio Pochettino while also being given first-team opportunities. Losing him would be another blow for the Catalans.
Structural issues
Cules demand a lot from the team due to wanting to make the most of Messi’s peak years. However, this pressure to constantly win means less risks are going to be taken. La Masia graduates represent a risk because they are likely to make mistakes as they develop. Therefore, the risk outweighs the reward for playing them.
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The board is massively at fault because they haven’t invested correctly in the team. Messi is heavily relied upon because Xavi wasn’t replaced or transitioned away from effectively. They now have the departure of Iniesta to deal with as well. A balanced team would have made it easier to incorporate players such as Alena and Puig. It would also have encouraged players to stay due to the clear pathway to the first-team.
There are signs of promise, though, because Valverde is planning to elevate Alena and Oriol Busquets to the first-team next season. This could be the start of a shift back towards the heavy use of the academy players which served the club well previously. However, they are likely to lose Puig, which they could come to regret. Puig shouldn’t be blamed, though, because he is only doing what he thinks is right for his career.