Three La Masia talents to watch out for during Barcelona’s pre-season tour | OneFootball

Barcelona’s pre-season is set to begin in under two weeks, and the players will feel relieved that they had no part to play in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Most of the team’s big names are expected to make it back in time for the tour, but as has been the case for years now, the primary objective of the tour will be to give young talents their chances to make a case to join the first team.

The manager is set to take as many as eight La Masia talents with him on tour, and all of them will have their chances to show their quality. New signings like Joan Garcia and Roony Bardghji will also sail on a similar boat.

Barça Universal brings you a list of three La Masia talents to look out for in the upcoming preseason.

Jofre Torrents

Jofre Torrents is likely to get opportunities during pre-season. (Photo courtesy: X/FCBMasia)

If last season taught Barcelona one lesson, it was that they require more depth in the full-back department, where they were heavily reliant on one player each.

Eric Garcia soon caught up and established himself as a valuable resource at right-back. The left-back position, however, was continually manned by Gerard Martin in Alejandro Balde’s absence and it was clear that a new, higher-ceiling backup was needed.

Jofre Torrents, La Masia’s latest left-back sensation, promises to fix that problem for Barcelona and is seen as one who can serve as a high-quality option in the department in the long run.

Torrents is a fast player in attack who is reliable on the ball and is known for the immense quality in his left boot.

He is prone to a few defensive errors, but usually compensates for the same with his attacking output. His pre-season, thus, is one to watch out for.

Toni Fernandez

Toni Fernandez played for Barcelona in last year’s pre-season tour. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Still just 16, Toni Fernandez has long been seen as the next big thing in Barcelona’s academy. If Lamine Yamal’s growth is anything to go by, there is no reason to think Fernandez is too young to make an impact anymore.

A winger by trade, the youngster provides a profile that can not only operate out wide but also as an attacking midfielder and a false nine.

He is known for his technical quality, awareness of spaces in the attacking half, and his dribbling prowess, and can make a serious impact in front of the goal.

The youngster was called up by Hansi Flick on a couple of occasions last season and even saw a few minutes in pre-season against Manchester City and AC Milan and against UD Barbastro in the Copa del Rey where he produced two key passes in just nine minutes.

Jan Virgili

Jan Virgili is a player to watch out for. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Barcelona are reportedly set to sign Nico Williams and will have the star as their primary option on the left wing come next season. Raphinha, who starred in the role last season, will move into a central position.

If there is space for a new backup left-winger, the academy’s Jan Virgili promises to be one who is ready for the challenge. After all, he has been no stranger to being in the headlines in recent months.

Virgili most recently rose to fame for his spectacular cameo off the bench that helped Spain’s U19 setup to a win over Germany in the semifinal of the U19 Euros. His goal and assist played a pioneering role in the 6-5 win.

In general, however, the youngster has been on Flick’s radar for a while now. He can play as a left-winger or on the right-flank if needed as well, and his ability to play as a winger in the truest sense without drifting centrally makes him a unique player.