It is quite common to see FC Barcelona giving opportunities to their deserving youngsters. The Catalan club has long been revered for their insistence on putting faith in young talent. Even today, the new generation of Barcelona still works to help the first team regularly.
However, it is true that these minutes have to be limited. At the end of the day, the youngsters are still players of the subsidiary and quarry. They come to provide depth and support, and very rarely do they become absolutes among the superstars of the club.
Yet, there are some anomalies. One of those anomalies, fortunately, just so happens to be a Barça player through and through. Lamine Yamal, aged just 16, has become one of the key figures within the Barcelona first team.
Moreover, it now seems that he is set to be an even more important piece of Xavi’s puzzle. As highlighted by SPORT, following Raphinha’s injury and Joao Felix’s inconsistency, it seems to be Yamal’s turn to begin starting matches based on meritocracy.
Even previously, it seemed that he would have already gained that chance by now. Following his arrival in the Spanish Super Cup, a competition in which he replaced Raphinha during the semi-final clash, Yamal made the most of his opportunity against CA Osasuna.
Scoring a goal near the end and becoming the youngest ever to do so in the competition, Lamine Yamal established his quality. Moreover, with Raphinha injured for the subsequent final as well, it seemed that Yamal would undoubtedly start against Real Madrid.
However, that was simply not to be. Xavi instead chose to field a formation with four midfielders, and that left only two places for any forwards. Those ended up being Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres up front.
Then, in the latest clash against Unionistas in the Copa Del Ray, Yamal was again unable to start. Based on the formation with three forwards, the youngster would definitely have started if he was available, but he was unfortunately suspended.
In terms of appearances, the youngster has had 25 in total this season for the first team. He falls behind only Ilkay Gundogan (27) and Ferran Torres (26). Had he not been suspended for the two games that he missed as a result, his tally would equal his German teammate’s. However, the number of starts he has had is a number barely worth counting so far.
Now, with the current casualties of both sidelined players and inconsistent performances, the stage is truly set for Yamal. FC Barcelona next face Real Betis away from home, and this could be the opportunity that the 16-year-old would have been looking for.
