Barcelona to shift recruitment strategy for position group | OneFootball

Barcelona are set to implement a fundamental change into their recruitment policy, which is being overseen by Sporting Director Deco. The Blaugrana have become famous the world over for producing technically gifted players, often diminutive in size, but they are no longer prioritising pure technique as a recruitment objective.

In the past year, Head Scout Paulo Araujo left his position, and was replaced by Joao Amaral, who is part of the overarching effort to bring in the most talented teenage talents before they make a name for themselves. That has been evidenced by a number of youngsters abroad into the club’s under-19 side and Barca Atletic, such as Noah Darvich, Mikayil Faye or Ibrahim Diarra, while this season Juwensley Onstein and Patricio Pacifico joined.

Barcelona to seek more physical defenders

As a result of a shift in the style of play across Europe towards more quick transitions and high tempo games, Sport say that Barcelona’s scouting department have been instructed to focus on finding defenders who are physically more imposing than before. The idea is to place more value on speed and strength than previously, in a bid to complement the players coming through at La Masia.

Current transfer efforts reflect shift

Onstein is cited as an example of this, while new target Luca Herrington is another. The Colorado Rapids centre-back has been cited as a target for the Blaugrana, and they have already held talks for the 19-year-old central defender, who is an imposing 192cm. Herrington is currently in action for Australia at the World Cup.

For the first team, the likes of Micky van de Ven, Luka Vuskovic and Alessandro Bastoni, all of who have been linked to the Catalan giants, also fit the fresh directive. Hansi Flick’s faith in Marc Bernal and Gerard Martin is another sign of the times too.