FC Barcelona are well renowned for boasting a surplus of riches in terms of the youth talent they possess. The talent that they produce from La Masia often makes its way into the European elite, and it seems that the newest arrivals may just have caught the eyes of the general public as well.
The Guardian has released their latest iteration of the ‘Next Generation: 2023’. The list encapsulates ‘60 of the best young talents in world football’. From Europe to South America, it is an all-inclusive assortment of the best talents across the world.
Interestingly, as highlighted by Spanish outlet SPORT, Barcelona have a particular reason to be proud of it. Having four players enter the final 60, Barcelona have some of their own great talents present within the list. The likes of Marc Guiu, Noah Darvich, Diego Kochen, and Aron Yaakobishvili are all present on The Guardian’s list.
All four players were born in 2006, just like the remainder of the players on the list. Here is a quick description of each of the four talents mentioned within the final 60:
Marc Guiu (Striker)
Guiu was described by the Guardian as an anomaly in comparison to the typical Barcelona ‘prototype’. In a way, that statement is in itself a great compliment to the talents of the young striker. Despite his differences from the typical creations of La Masia, he has continued to shine and has now been called up to train with the first team under Xavi Hernandez as well.
A player possessing great physical strength and finishing ability, he is a pure number nine. Unlike the usual false 9s or Barca products interested in dropping to help with the build-up, Guiu performs his duties as a central target man with more attention.
Noah Darvich (Midfielder)
Having arrived from Germany just this summer, Noah Darvich is taking his time to adapt. Previously at Freiburg, the German star has all the potential to succeed at FC Barcelona. Highly sought after by many clubs, it would eventually end up being Barcelona who run away with his signature.
Despite their economic problems, Darvich’s talent was so great that Barcelona chose to invest close to €5 million in order to seal his signing. Possessing similarities to Pedri, as per The Guardian, Darvich has undeniable talent and will surely become a great asset to Barcelona once he properly adapts to the Spanish style of football.
Diego Kochen (Goalkeeper)
The American goalkeeper is one of the most promising within the Barcelona youth ranks. The Guardian states that he is praised for his ‘reflexes and aerial ability as well as his aptitude with the ball at his feet’. Despite being within the youth setup of the club, his inclusion in Barcelona’s 27-man Uefa Champions League squad list indicates his potential and the club’s trust in his abilities.
Aron Yaakobishvili (Goalkeeper)
Interestingly, two Barcelona goalkeepers have made the final 60 for The Guardian. Not typically known for producing goalkeepers and rather midfielders and forwards more typically, the idea of Barca now being capable of developing top-level goalkeepers is a huge positive for the club.
Aron Yaakobishvili is a Hungarian goalkeeper who has been considered a ‘Top prospect in La Masia for five years now.’ Regularly being called up to train with the first team now, the young goalkeeper is getting to train against some of the best forwards in world football.
Possessing great reflexes as well as mastery over both feet when in possession of the ball, ‘Yaako’ is destined for greatness and may just end up as Barca’s number 1 eventually.
FC Barcelona will surely be proud of having such a number of their young talents be recognized. This recognition and praise can be massively important for young talents as they look to live up to the high regard people begin to hold them in.
Not quite there yet, but several of these starlets may one day end up representing Barca at the highest level possible given their immense talent.
