3 La Masia graduates I wish never left Barca
La Masia might be one of the best academies in Europe but it sometimes loses talented players that need a little bit of nourishing before they turn into world-class stars. Here's my mini-list of players I wish never left us.
3. Thiago Alcantara
I don't think that there is a need to explain why losing Thiago was a bad move. Unfortunately, the Spaniard wasn't getting much playing time with Xavi and Andres Iniesta still at the club. That's why he agreed to join Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich. I mean, who wouldn't?
He turned into a real star in Germany and is now one of he best midfielders in the game. Sure, he sometimes spends months the sidelines but it doesn't affect his performances when he returns.
To be fair, leaving Camp Nou was a great decision for the player. But losing Thiago was a big mistake for Barca. Even with Xavi and Iniesta, the coaches should have find a way to use him on a regular basis and ensure him that he'll be an undisputed starter when the seniors leave.
I mean, Thiago left in 2013 and Xavi left in 2015. Only one season and he would've become a starter. Xavi didn't play that much in his last year and Barca wouldn't have bought Ivan Rakitic.
The midfielder is already 29 years old now. And although I think he's a great player, I wouldn't take him back at this point.
2. Sergi Samper
The 25-year-old had everything Barca needed in a defensive midfielder. His style of play was very similar to Sergio Busquets. I remember him watching highlights of Busi and he predicted every movement Busquets was about to make. To put it simple — Samper was the ideal successor in the CDM position.
But besides having Barca's DNA, he also had terible luck. I remember him doing very well at Granada but everything went South after he suffered a serious injury. On his next loan, this time at Las Palmas, he had played only two games before being sidelined for the rest of the season due to a serious injury, again.
If only he had more luck and if only the coaches kept him at the first team for a full season to actu as our second-choice defensive midfielder, I think he would've turned world-class one day.
Now, he is playing at Vissel Kobe in Japan. I hope to see him one day in Europe and maybe even at Camp Nou. However, I understand the chances are very low.
1. Alejandro Grimaldo
Not giving the left-back a chance at the first team is perhaps Luis Enrique's biggest mistake.
Barca lost him in January 2015 as they had to sell him in order not to lose him for free in summer the same year.
The club obviously are also to blame because they couldn't interest him with a new contract. And so, Alejandro left without playing at least a single game for the senior squad.
Now, he is one of the best full-backs in the world despite playing at Benfica. Besides, he's only 24 years old which means that his peak is still ahead and the club should make a move on him as soon as possible.
Barca should forget about their dumb rule not to buy players that have left the club and bring Grimaldo back. He's one step from becoming the greatest left-back in the world.
Comments
Thiago is top class
Thiago is my top 1 player!
No room for Adama Traore? Perhaps instead of Samper?