At Barcelona and within the realms of European football, the game is competitive and unforgiving by nature of the opposition and the continuous strive to remain at the very top. Not just on a collective level, but also for the individuals that become a part of it.
Heading into the upcoming pre-season, where Barcelona will be traveling to the United States of America to face off against other European sides, the Catalans are expected to take alongside them several youngsters from the subsidiary as well as other new arrivals.
As per the latest report by SPORT, following the signing of the left-footed central defender Inigo Martinez from Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona must now also look towards what profiles from the subsidiary still have a chance to become reliable defensive assets for the Barcelona first team and two names, in particular, stand out.
Chadi Riad, who today on the 17th of June turns 20 years of age and plays primarily as a central defender with a dominant left foot, is one of the names being highlighted to possess the quality and potential to become a first-team member. However, his sporting situation is a bit complex.
Having completed his cycle within the subsidiary ranks, the Moroccan defender now believes he should be playing at a higher caliber than he currently is in the third division of Spanish football, as Barca Atletic failed to get promoted to the second division during their playoff opportunity.
Now, in the scenario that he chooses not to immediately go out on loan and instead waits for a proper assessment by Xavi Hernandez during pre-season, there is indeed hope for his future in the first team should he manage to impress.
However, Riad will be facing stiff competition from the newest defensive arrival at FC Barcelona, 18-year-old Mikayil Faye from Croatian side NK Kustosija. The player is considered to be an anomaly of sorts, given his deceitfully tall and strong physique which ends up masking his technical quality on the ball and the agility he possesses as part of his various strengths.
Nicknamed the ‘Monster’, it will become an exciting duel for the first team places between the two youngsters as they look to impress Xavi Hernandez and co. at the top of the Barcelona hierarchy.
One possible advantage that Riad may hold over Faye is the fact that he is still accustomed to top-level football, something Faye is yet to experience given his time in the second division of the Croatian league.
