Barcelona prodigy raises eyebrows with his performance vs Chelsea in UEFA Youth League | OneFootball

While Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge ended in a dismal 3-0 defeat for Hansi Flick’s senior side, the afternoon provided a necessary silver lining for the Blaugrana.

Pol Planas’ Juvenil A side managed to secure a valuable point against Chelsea in the UEFA Youth League, recovering from a shaky first half to dominate the second.

While the Blaugrana were unlucky to concede a late equaliser, it was Hafiz Gariba who stole the show with an exemplary performance in defence.

Who is Hafiz Gariba?

Arriving in Catalonia from Ghana, he was playing for Codolar in the Quarta Catalana – the lowest tier of Catalan football – until February of this year.

Once he turned 18, Barcelona swooped in. In just a few months, he has jumped from amateur fields to the Ciutat Esportiva and now, to European competition.

Barcelona must keep a close eye on Hafiz Gariba’s progress at La Masia. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Affectionately nicknamed ‘The Mantis’ by his teammates due to his frame, Gariba was a colossus against Chelsea, reports Mundo Deportivo.

The 18-year-old offers a profile rarely seen in traditional La Masia defenders. Tall and dominant in the air, he combines physical strength with a surprisingly soft touch.

What sets him apart, however, is his fearlessness. Gariba plays with an almost complete lack of awareness of danger.

The youngster takes risks on the ball that most defenders avoid, constantly looking to thread vertical passes and create advantages rather than choosing the safe option.

At Barcelona, they rate Gariba quite highly, and a report earlier this month suggested that the club see the La Masia starlet as the next potential breakthrough material, which is not surprising given his immense potential.

If the youngster keeps performing as he did against Chelsea, it will not be long before he catches Hansi Flick’s eye.