Former Barcelona player talks Raphinha, Flick, Ansu Fati – ‘I can see myself’ | OneFootball

La Masia has always been a special asset for Barcelona, producing talents as and when the club has required.

The rise of the current generation, however, is perhaps the biggest batch of success the academy has seen since the eternal group of Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Co.

While making it to the first team is indeed the dream of every player who enters the academy, most fail to make it through the rigorous competition. Current Panama coach Tomas Christiansen is one such name.

Panama coach speaks

Speaking to the media recently, the ex-Barcelona player gave his two cents on Hansi Flick’s current team, his time at the club and some young talents Barcelona are pursuing.

He began by praising the team Flick has built and had special words of appreciation for Raphinha.

“Whenever I can see Barça I see it. I like how Flick has taken advantage, especially, of Raphinha, who is having a spectacular year.”

“I see a solid team in which there is commitment, communication and attention to everything that is done,” he added.

Christiansen spoke about his failed stint at Barcelona where he struggled to break into the senior setup despite making an impression with the B team.

“When I arrived in Barcelona at the age of 18, living alone in an apartment and leaving my family behind was very different than today.”

“Today, the players who come from La Masia are much more prepared. They work in many aspects, not only what has to do with football, but also psychological or the issue of pressure,” he added.

Elaborating on what made it easier for young talents to break through to the first team now, the Panama coach added,

“When I arrived, it was much greener, but those who go through all the categories up to the first team know everything that is required of each of them.”

“On the other hand, you have to have your head well furnished and prepared for that pressure. Barça also does that very well, which prepares them in every way,” he added.

He then explained with an example how it could be overwhelming to manage the pressure that comes with being a Barcelona player.

“It’s very difficult. A clear example is that of Ansu Fati, about whom there are many comments and was the one who was going to replace Messi,” he said.

Struggling for relevance. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“In that media pressure and the bad luck with the injuries I can see myself reflected a little. Not in the sense of being like a Messi, but in the fact of having good projection and bad luck with injuries,” he added.

Christensen explained the reasons behind his failure at Barcelona and how he would have done things differently if given a fresh start.

“In addition, in my case, I did not have the opportunity to choose my destination, I had to accept three transfers that Barça wanted.”

“If I had been able to choose my destiny, my training or my football growth, perhaps I could have been different and had more options in the first team,” he concluded.

He then shared his thoughts on Panamanian prospect Edward Cedeno, who has emerged as a defensive midfield target for Barcelona in recent weeks.

“Edward was with the under-23 in the Toulon Hopes Tournament, but this Nations League has been the first time I called him. Although he is in First RFEF, I see a lot of potential in him; he can grow much more,” he noted.

“The truth is that I would have liked to have given him minutes in the matches of this Nations League, if we had reached extra time in that final he would have seen a few minutes.”

“But he is a player that we have on the radar, that he will be with us and that he is a player of the future,” he concluded.

Source: SPORT