Hansi Flick calls up 19-year-old Barcelona starlet for pre-season | OneFootball

Barcelona have invested heavily in young talents over the past few years, all in the hope that they will continue developing at the expected rate and make a case to burst into the first team.

Hamza Abdelkarim, Juwensley Onstein, Ajay Tavares, and Patricio Pacifico are just some of the numerous talents the club have scouted and made moves to sign on that front, and some are already showing signs of repaying that faith.

Alex Gonzalez, who the club signed from FC Damm earlier this year, is another player in the same category who has gone a step ahead and already caught Hansi Flick’s eye.

In for pre-season

As reported by Sergio Capdevila in a recent update, Gonzalez has performed better than expected and progressed well in his development since signing for the Juvenil A side earlier this year. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Álex González Yanes (@alexxgonzalezz07)

Such has been his progress and performance that he has already caught the eye of Hansi Flick and the first-team management.

The German tactician has now called up the 19-year-old star for the pre-season, and he wishes to get a closer look at the player on tour.

Needless to say, this comes as massive news for the teenager and his close circle and hands him his best chance of breaking into the first team. Given his niche and the competition there, however, he will have to do something extraordinary to capitalise on his advantage.

A high-pressure group

Gonzalez is known for his high-octane attacking output, primarily on the left-wing where his comfort on the ball and speed make him a difficult opponent to defend against.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by E L E U (@eleu.agency)

With the core of Barcelona’s attack including Raphinha and Anthony Gordon likely to be absent for pre-season after completing World Cup duty, Gonzalez will certainly have minutes in the team’s tour before the season commences.

The left wing, however, already has several players fighting for a spot and Gonzalez will thus have it difficult once the likes of Gordon and Raphinha are back in action.

His performances next month, however, may go a long way in establishing him as a backup to the international duo over the course of the season.