From the depths of La Masia, FC Barcelona have seldom failed to improve with the vast quality that they are able to produce. From the likes of generational midfielders to the sort of forwards that can shape eras, the technical prowess of their players is rarely ever anything to question.
What is unusual on the other hand is the development of goalkeepers to an extent that other positions seem to be inclined to do so at La Masia. The most recent player to catch the eye of head coach Xavi Hernandez is none other than Juvenil B goalkeeper, Diego Kochen.
The 17-year-old shot-stopper between the sticks has risen to prominence from amongst his peers. Particularly praised for his agility, reflexes, and technical skills, the young goalkeeper has recently been called up to train with the first team by Xavi himself, as per recent reports from SPORT.
Nationality-wise, the youngster has 3 to his name. Born in Miami, the player’s country of birth is the United States of America. On the other hand, courtesy of the nationalities of his two parents, he holds the same for Venezuela and Peru as his mother and father do respectively.
Having an American player within the top realms of FC Barcelona is both a sporting and publicity-based advantage for the Catalan Club. With the player’s great abilities being the primary advantage, and the secondary advantage being that Barcelona considers the American market a very strategic stronghold in terms of image and global marketing.
Similar to the likes of those before him who have been called up by Xavi to train with the first team and then not too long after have made their first team debuts, it would not be too surprising to see young Kochen also have a shot in between the sticks for FC Barcelona should they manage to wrap up the league title early.
