La Masia, Barcelona’s famed academy that keeps on giving, has produced an almost unfathomable number of the world’s best ever players, including a little Argentinian many consider to be THE greatest.
In recent years, with the club’s ongoing financial issues, the Catalan club have had to lean on La Masia more than they used to. Long gone are the days of splashing £100 million+ on the likes of Coutinho and Antoine Griezmann, although that’s not a bad thing.
Lamine Yamal is rightfully regarded as the latest superstar to come out of La Masia, but Dro Fernadez, 17, may well be the next in line.
A closer look in pre-season
The young attacking midfielder was given the chance to mingle with the first team by Hansi Flick during their pre-season tour of Asia. It didn’t take long for him to make a serious impression, coming off the bench to score in their 3-1 win over Vissel Kobe.
“I didn’t even know how to celebrate, to be honest,” Fernandez said after the match.
“It was unbelievable. I came in a bit nervous, the first time with the best club in the world, but then the ball came to my feet on the edge of the box and I gave it a go. Hansi and my team-mates calmed me down before the game and I felt so comfortable.
“Flick told me to do what I know to do with the ball, and then off the ball to push and press as hard as I can. Everyone has congratulated me for the goal, it’s just unreal.”
Fernandez is very much a La Masia product, if you close your eyes and imagine the type of player the world’s best academy produces, this kid is the archetype. He’s incredibly versatile, although he primarily operates in the number ten role, he’s equally capable on either wing.
His close control and dribbling ability are by far his best assets. Operating between the lines, he has a tendency to drift inside when playing out wide, occupying a ‘free role’ that allows him to flex his creative muscles with less defensive output.
Don’t think he’s one dimensional, however. Fernandez also carries a threat from distance, he’s not afraid to have a go when the opportunity arises.
Coming out of nowhere
Fernandez has played more games for Barcelona’s senior side than he has for Atletic, which is essentially their academy’s first team. Having spent most of his time with the Under-18, Flick hand picked him, alongside Jofre Torrents, to show what they can do in pre-season.
Since then, Flick has trusted him in some big moments. Fernandez was the player picked to replace Dani Olmo at half-time against Real Sociedad with the score at 1-1 and he was excellent in his 45 minutes on the pitch.
The Sociedad defenders barely had an answer to him; they certainly couldn’t get the ball off the youngster. Fernandez ended the game with a 100% dribble success rate, was only dispossessed once, and created two big chances. Barcelona went on to win that game 2-1, and Fernandez didn’t look out of place or overwhelmed at all.
Flick was clearly impressed, handing him his full debut in Barca’s 6-1 Champions League battering of Olympiacos. Again, he wasn’t overawed by the occasion, nutmegging an opposition defender to send Alejandro Balde, allowing him to cross into Marcus Rashford who send his shot just over the bar.
Fernandez got the first goal contribution of his Barcelona career just before half-time. It was a simple on, threading the ball into Fermin Lopez who did all the hard work, turning the defender before smashing it into the top left corner, but he won’t care.
Verdict
Barcelona’s recent treatment of young stars has been a little worrying. The likes of Gavi and Ansu Fati have been so heavily relied upon at such a young age, as they’ve developed, the injuries have piled on.
Fernandez doesn’t need to be rushed like those two were, however, he’s playing in a position that will allow him to learn and be bedded in rather than chucked in the deep end. Flick is the perfect coach to manage his minutes and trust him when needed.