Football Wonderkid Scout

 Spanish U21 Andreu Fontàs

back by Luis Enrique. Barcelona starlet Andreu Fontàs is a Spanish Under-21 international and was recently subject to a failed attempt by West Ham to lure him away from the Nou Camp. Having met his release clause and agreeing personal terms with the player, Barcelona convinced Fontàs to stay and sign a new contract. Fontas, who is a 6ft centre-back has made just one appearance for the Barcelona senior team, but his progress was slowed down at the end of last season after suffering a serious injury. He broke the fifth metatarsal of his left foot in early May and could not actively participate in Barcelona B's promotion play-off. Born in Banyoles,the left-footed Fontas is known for his strength and ball playing ability. Sergi Gómez Solà is a defender with an emerging reputation after playing every minute in Barca Atlètic's play-offs for promotion. Proving himself as a key played to coach García Pimienta with the Juvenil A team, Gómez supplied crucial defensive cover in the absence of the injured Andreu Fontàs.

Marc Bartra who is currently away with the Spanish Under-19s recently signed a contract extension with the club until 2012 after lengthy negotiations and fending interest off from Real Madrid. His desire to succeed at the Nou Camp and his impressive performances have caught the attention of club officials. An outside chance maybe that of Sergi Gomez who is a Spanish Under-18 player who made a large contribution to Barcelona B's promotion in the final part of the season, despite the fact it was only his first year in the ranks. The 17 year-old is an aggressive defender who is unbeatable in the air and good on the ball. One of the most highly rated youngsters at La Masia is 18 year-old right-back Albert Dalmau who was born in the village of Sils in Catalonia and currently plays for Juvenil A’s. Known for his boundless energy and quality, he is able to operate tirelessly up and down the flanks with great effect. He has extreme pace and excellent defensive qualities, and has even played as a wide forward due to his excellent crossing ability. Dalmau is considered by Spain U19 coach Luis Milla as one for the future and is dubbed Barcelona's own version of Sergio Ramos. Currently appearing for the U19s is right back Martin Montoya and left-back Carles Planas, both current members of the promotion winning Barceloana Atlètic. Part of the successful Spanish U17 side which reached the final was pacey right-back Edu who currently plays for Juvenil B’s and is considered to have a very bright future.

In midfield Pep Guardiola has a wealth of talent to choose from. With home-grown academy products in Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Pedro and Busquets all in the first team, Guardiola may not require any midfield reinforcements. 20 year-old Jonathan dos Santos is a current Mexican international and has already figured as part of Guardiola's first team squad. Having joined La Masia form the age of 12, he is technically excellent and very creative. Tactically aware and with good distribution, Jonathan will hope to succeed where his older brother Giovanni failed in making his breakthrough at the Catalan club. Arguably the jewell in the crown at Barcelona La Masia is Thiago Alcantara who has starred for Spain's international youth teams at a number of levels. Already described as Spain's brightest talent by Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro, Alcantara is already wanted by Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. Thiago recently signed a new contract keeping him at the club until 2011 and is son of Brazillian World Cup winner Mazinho. 18 year-old Sergi Roberto is a Spanish U17 international and was a revelation last season with Barca B, as he gained the trust of Luis Enrique at the beginning of the previous season and never looked back. His footballing profile resembles more of Luis Enrique than Xavi or Iniesta. A physical and technical marvel, is two footed, very versatile and has great goalscoring ability. A complete midfielder he recently signed a new contract keeping him at the Nou Camp until 2012. Gerard Deulofeu at 16 years-old maybe considered too young for first team action but none the less is a star of the future. Recently impressing for Spain's Under-17s at the European Championships he scored twice in the group stage against Portugal, including one straight from a corner. Gerard began playing in the youth ranks of Barca with the Benjamin A's in 2003. A player of exceptional technical qualities, he is an intelligent player who usually operates on the left. A specialist in one-on-one situations due to his superb close control, he is very difficult to stop at full pace and he is also a great passer of the ball with superb vision. Still a cadet, this season Deulofeu played with the Juvenil B side La Masia and was one of the key players in Sergi Barjuan's league winning side. In June 2010, Gerard signed his first professional contract with Barcelona. Other noticeable midfield graduates are 18 year-old Oriol Romeu who is a holding midfielder and currently playing for Spain's U19s, Ilie Sanchez who is a versatile midfielder with good movement and reading of the game, and Marti Riverola who joined the club at the age of 6 and operates in the centre of midfield having started his career as a centre forward.

Up front, Barcelona's best prospect is Spanish U19 international Rubén Rochina who led the line for Barcalona Atlètic and chipping in with his fair share of goals. Rochina won his first cap at U17 level where he scored 4 goals in 7 appearances. A natural born scorer, Rochina is known for his oportunistic finishing and is also a good free kick taker. Able to operate on the flanks, Rochina has good positioning and tactical awareness. His impressive performances last season beg the question why the Catalan club signed Keirrison. While the number of talented midfielders at Barcelona's youth academy is nothing new, to have such a number of quality defenders at Guardiola's disposal is encouraging for the Catalan club. It is little wonder why Botia was loaned out and why Cacres career has failed to take off. With the poor economic climate and a mountain of debt facing the club, Pep Guardiola will rest assured that the youth academy at La Masia is still bearing fruit. Arguably the greatest production line in world football, Barcelona has littered Spanish international youth squad with its graduates. Thiago Alcantara and Marc Muniesa are two graduates who appear likely to make the breakthrough to the senior side in the next season. Manager Guardiola who is a former La Masia graduate himself is a firm believer in youth development and in the 2009/10 season called up a number of Barcelona B players to his squad.