Games are coming up thick and fast as clubs across Europe are approaching the business end of the season. As a result, players playing week in and week out are feeling the effects of fatigue, and managers are looking to utilize players on the fringes of the squad to give some rest to their established starters. Same is the case for Barca.
Xavi has also called up some youngsters from the Barca Atletic to train with the first team with the aim of giving them some first-team exposure and assessing their potential. One such player training with the first team is newly signed Lucas Roman, but there has been another surprise call-up in the form of goalkeeper Nil Ruiz.
Spanish news outlet SPORT reports that the young goalkeeper has already completed some sessions with the Barcelona first team. However, the goalkeeper is not an established part of the Barcelona B team, as he has only made 4 appearances with them this season. The youngster arrived from Damm last season and is still only 19 years of age.
His ability to control and pass the ball with his feet and his reflexes in goal were his standout attributes that attracted the attention of scouts from Catalonia, while his height, which is over 1.90 meters, is also an attractive advantage to have in a goalkeeper.
Last year, the player was the best goalkeeper in the Honorary Division, as he went on a staggering 10 consecutive games and 953 minutes without conceding a goal. However, Arnau Tenas is still chosen by Rafa Marquez as his starting goalkeeper, and Nil Ruiz is expected to develop more before more responsibility is put on him.
