Luis Enrique’s Greatest Barcelona B: Where Are They Now?

Forward

Cristian Tello (Real Betis, Left-Wing, 28)

Tello played a crucial role under Guardiola and late Tito Vilanova, scoring goals across all competitions. Cristian lost his importance under then-manager Tata Martino, which led to his loan spell with Porto followed by another with the Italian side, Fiorentina. In 2017, Real Betis signed the forward for four million euros where the Spaniard has appeared for 82 matches ever since.

Nolito (Sevilla FC, Left-Wing, 33)

Nolito arrived in Barca B in 2008, where he has made his career highest appearance having played 106 games. He made his first-team debut in a League match against Mallorca that ended in a 1-1 draw. The winger rejected Barcelona’s contract offer that will see him join the first-team and instead signed with the Portuguese side, Benfica, for a five-year deal in 2011. His debut with Benefica was in a Champions League match against Trabzonspor where he scored once in a 2-0 victory. The forward, following a loan spell with Granada, signed for Celta in 2013. The contract was a four-year deal and saw the former Barca B player join with former coach Luis Enrique. He managed to appear in 100 matches for the club, in which he scored 36 goals. Nolito joined Premier League side Manchester City in 2016, on a four-year deal for a fee of just over 16 million euros. He made his debut against Sunderland in a 2-1 victory at home. Nolito and family were unsettled in Manchester and thus joined the Spanish side, Sevilla, on a three year deal in 2017.

 Carlos Carmona (Sporting Gijón, Right-Wing, 32)

Originally a prospect from the youth system of Mallorca, Carmona joined Barcelona B at the age of 23. Prior to joining Barca in 2010, Carlos had already played for Recreativo, Mallorca, Valladolid, and Cartagena, with the latter two being a loan spell. The winger represented Barca B on 55 occasions before signing for Sporting Gijón in 2012. The player has made 169 appearances for the club, scoring 28 goals in the process. Los Rojiblancos currently play in the  Segunda División and Carmona recently has renewed his contract with the club until 2021.

Gerard Deulofeu (Watford FC, Right-Wing, 25)

Deulofeu, like many others on the list, had his debut under Guardiola at the age of 17. The talented winger could not meet the expectations of then-manager Martino and was loaned to Everton followed by another spell with Sevilla. Everton later signed the Spaniard for six million euros but after losing his importance, he was again loaned out to Milan. With Rossoneri, however, the winger managed to find his form and deliver many good performances which led to the Spanish National team calling Gerard up. This eventually impressed Barca enough to sign the player back for 12 million euros. Initially, Deulofeu was offered the starter role but was soon loaned out to Watford who later signed the player for 13 million euros.

Jonathan Soriano (Girona FC, Centre-Forward, 34)

Soriano made his official first-team debut in 2009, playing the final few minutes of a 2-0 victory over Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa for the Copa del Rey. Jonathan failed to seal a contract with Barcelona in 2012 and later moved to the Austrian Football Bundesliga with FC Red Bull Salzburg. He had an incredible spell with the Austrian side, scoring 172 goals in 202 games. The clinical striker moved to Chinese team Beijing Sinobo Guoan in 2017, where he continued his form managing to score 25 goals in 31 appearances. He is currently under contract with the second division side, Girona FC, on a one-year deal.

Which of these players do you wish were still a Barca player?