There is often an identity associated with FC Barcelona that visualizes a certain style of football. Flowing, strategic, positionally astute, and always capable of ensuring quality football is based on the technical abilities of the player in question, that is the identity commonly associated with Barca.
While, to an extent, this identity does reflect the key attributes of the geniuses produced from the Barcelona academy, it is a belief that is seldom broken.
The academy anomaly
According to the latest update on one of the most peculiar cases found in the Barcelona youth ranks, it appears that an anomaly of sorts has indeed appeared.
As per the assessment made by Spanish outlet SPORT, 15-year-old Oscar Gistau is among the ones to watch in the upcoming generation of Barcelona talents. According to their observation, the player is a distinct separation from the typical products of La Masia.
Classic ‘9’
In the case of Gistau, he is identified as a classic number nine, one that is built on the virtues of a pure goal-scoring machine rather than a ventriloquist of technical brilliance. His primary traits and strengths lie in his physicality, goal-scoring sense, and the viciousness of his strike.
Recent hattrick
A clear example of all these traits was found in the latest outing of Barcelona Juvenil B against UE Figueres. Between Oscar Gistau starting the game and then being substituted in the 76th minute, the 15-year-old scored a grand hattrick that displayed his powers at work.
Scoring in the 32nd, 52nd, and 66th minute to complete his hattrick as Barcelona Juvenil B continued their 5-0 thrashing of their opponents, Gistau’s goals were all valid examples of his striker’s instinct and his purely battering ram-esque play style.
A forward with efficiency
Efficient off the ball and possessing quick decision-making when on it, it is no secret that this player is one that many within the youth setup have kept a special eye on.
Depending on his development, it will be interesting to see how rapidly he progresses through the youth ranks and how quickly he can get others at Barcelona to familiarise themselves with this upcoming traditional number nine.
