Valverde says he’s ‘very excited’ about Barca’s youngsters

Some Barca B starlets have caught his eye

Ernesto Valverde has been talking about the club’s youngsters after a pre-season where talents such as Riqui Puig and Juan Miranda have shone.

The Barcelona boss says that players who come through La Masia can offer something different, and he’s been impressed by what he’s seen.

“Barça always has to look to its academy. A lot of people say we should simply take youth players, put them in the first team and everything will work out. But it’s not always that simple.

“Because there are implicit demands and a lot of competition for places in the first team. However, it’s something that should be encouraged because players from the academy have things that outsiders don’t have.

“It all depends on them more than anyone else, although it might also depend on whether or not the coach gives them another chance. I hope young players can come through from the youth system and go out and steal the show, score loads of goals and stop our opponents scoring, because that’s what guarantees that the club and the team have an identity.

“There are good players in Barça B, with a lot of ambition, and I’m very excited about what I see.”

Source | FC Barcelona

Puig and Miranda have been training with the first team this week after a pre-season where they saw action in the US tour, the Supercopa de Espana and the Gamper trophy.

Valverde didn’t talk about whether he was planning to use them in the first team, but they certainly appear to have made an impression on the Barcelona boss.

Source: barcablaugranes.com