Barcelona seems to have unearthed yet another gem, as Dro Fernandez from La Masia earns accolades reminiscent of the club’s finest talents.
La Masia, the renowned academy of Barcelona, has consistently produced an astonishing array of the world’s elite footballers, including one small Argentine many regard as the greatest of all time.
In recent times, fueled by ongoing financial difficulties, the Catalan club has increasingly relied on the talents from La Masia. The days of spending over £100 million on players like Coutinho and Antoine Griezmann are behind them, which may not necessarily be a bad thing.
Lamine Yamal has garnered significant attention as the latest prodigy from La Masia, yet Dro Fernandez, at just 17 years old, appears poised to follow closely in his footsteps.
A Closer Look During Pre-Season
The young attacking midfielder showcased his skills with the first team under Hansi Flick during their pre-season tour in Asia. He made an immediate impact, coming off the bench to net a goal in their victory over Vissel Kobe.
“I wasn’t even sure how to celebrate, to be honest,” Fernandez recounted post-match. “It was overwhelming. I was a bit nervous at first, playing for the best club in the world, but then I received the ball at the edge of the area and took my chance. Hansi and my teammates helped me feel at ease before the match.”
“Flick encouraged me to focus on my skills with the ball, and when off the ball, to press and push as hard as I could. Everyone congratulated me for the goal; it was truly surreal.”
Fernandez embodies the essence of a La Masia player; if you envision the typical product of the world’s leading academy, he fits the mold perfectly. Primarily playing in the number ten position, he is also adept on either flank.
His exceptional close control and dribbling abilities stand out as his primary strengths. He often operates between the lines, and when positioned wide, he has a tendency to cut inside, allowing him to express his creativity with less defensive responsibility.
However, don’t assume he is one-dimensional. Fernandez is a threat from long-range and is willing to take shots when chances arise.
Rise to Prominence
Interestingly, Fernandez has participated in more matches for Barcelona’s senior squad than for Atletic, which essentially functions as the academy’s first team. Having predominantly played with the Under-18s, Flick selected him, alongside Jofre Torrents, to demonstrate their talents during pre-season activities.
Since then, Flick has entrusted him during critical moments. An example includes him replacing Dani Olmo at halftime against Real Sociedad while the match stood at 1-1, where he excelled in his 45 minutes of play.
The Sociedad defense struggled to contain him; they rarely succeeded in dispossessing the young prodigy. Fernandez completed all of his dribbles, was dispossessed only once, and conjured two significant chances. Barcelona eventually triumphed 2-1, with Fernandez appearing completely unfazed in the spotlight.
Flick remained impressed and granted him his full debut in Barca’s 6-1 demolition of Olympiacos. Once again, he showed no signs of being daunted by the occasion, delivering a nutmeg on an opposing defender that set up Alejandro Balde, leading to a near miss from Marcus Rashford.
Fernandez also recorded his first goal contribution for Barcelona just before the halftime break. He delivered a straightforward pass to Fermin Lopez, who skillfully maneuvered past a defender before firing into the top left corner—a moment he will surely treasure.
Final Thoughts
Barcelona’s management of young talent has raised some concerns recently. Players like Gavi and Ansu Fati have faced immense pressure at such tender ages, resulting in a string of injuries.
Fortunately, Fernandez’s integration doesn’t have to be rushed like theirs; he plays in a role that allows for gradual development rather than being thrown into intense situations. Flick is well-suited to manage his playing time and provide support when necessary.