Four La Masia talents poised for Barcelona first-team breakthrough in the near future | OneFootball

The La Masia conveyor belt continues to churn out special talents one after the other, who go on to make a name for themselves at the first-team level for FC Barcelona more often than not.

The likes of Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde, Fermin Lopez, and Gavi have all established themselves in the senior setup.

Last season saw the emergence of Marc Casado and Marc Bernal, while talents such as Pedro Fernandez ‘Dro’ and Jofre Torrents have had a taste of first-team football in the current campaign.

And, as it so happens, more footballers are already being developed in the Juvenil A and Barça Atletic teams, who will soon be knocking on the door of the first team.

Ebrima Tunkara

Ebrima Tunkara is one such special player coming through La Masia. Some within the club even dare to describe him as the new Lamine Yamal, which are serious words.

Just 15 years old, the winger is a diamond that Barcelona are polishing with great care. Tunkara stands out for his physical potential, good technique on the ball and a powerful shot .

Despite his age, Tunkara is already playing for Juvenil A (U19) and has already made his debut in the UEFA Youth League. During the recent international break, he shone with the Spain U17 team, scoring two goals and providing one assist in two matches.

Sama Nomoko

Sama Nomoko has been raising eyebrows with his performances at La Masia. (Photo: Instagram/Sama Nomoko)

Another winger with impressive potential and a bright future happens to be Sama Nomoko. Only 17 years old, he had been excelling with Barça Atletic this season. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious knee injury recently and will be out for twelve months.

Sama is an attacker with great speed, power and an ability to beat opponents. He joined Barcelona in 2016, at the U9 level. Since then, the club have been carefully developing a player they believe can reach the very top if he continues working in the same way.

With Barça Atletic this season, he has played ten matches, scoring two goals and providing three assists.

Pedro Rodriguez

A player shining brightly with Juvenil A, Pedro Rodriguez is a midfielder who idolises Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta and dreams of having the same career path.

Only 17 years old, Pedro can play as a No. 8 or a No. 6 and is adept at organising and controlling the team’s play from the centre of the park. In six games in the UEFA Youth League this season, he has already produced a goal and two assists.

The teenage midfielder has admirers from across Europe, but Flick and Barcelona see a gem who has what it takes to make it to the first-team ranks.

Xavi Espart

Xavi Espart is primed for a first-team debut once he returns from injury. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Concluding the list is a player who has already made a big impression on Hansi Flick – Xavi Espart. The right-back had been regularly involved in first-team training this season before getting injured.

Aged 18, Espart started out as a defensive midfielder, but has excelled as a right-back, establishing himself as one of the best in the position in the Barcelona academy.

Espart had been called up to several matchday squads by Flick this season, but has yet to make his senior debut. An injury to the medial collateral ligament in his right knee last month has sidelined him for 8-10 weeks.