Antonio Conte, one of Italy most successful managers, don speak well about FC Barcelona work with their youth academy for one long interview with The Athletic. The former Juventus, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Napoli and Italy coach admit say e go love visit La Masia to see with him own eye how the club dey develop young players. Conte also tok say dem dey do exceptional job. ‘Dem dey do something extraordinary,’ Conte talk, as Mundo Deportivo quote am.
Conte explain say when you see La Masia boys integrate naturally into team like Barcelona at age 18, play in front 100,000 people and make football look easy, e make you realise how much hard work dey go on behind scenes for academy. He talk say dem dey work in perfect harmony with head coach.
That academy na the treasure chest Barcelona dey raid to ease their financial troubles. Those problems don badly restrict their ability to complete new signings, particularly in recent years.
The Italian coach particularly impress with how Barcelona youth system prepare players to make transition to senior football, so talented youngsters fit adapt quick to demands of first team. Conte, wey don win five Serie A titles and one Premier League title among other honours, repeat him admiration for Barcelona academy structure. ‘I would love to visit their academy. They have a clearly defined structure that is perfectly aligned with the first team,’ he explain.
To illustrate him point, former Napoli manager, wey remain for club until last June, recall watching Barcelona match earlier this year and discovering player wey e never know before: young defender Xavi Espart. ‘I was watching a Barcelona match this year and heard a name I did not recognise, that of the left-back (Xavi Espart)…,’ Conte recall. ‘The DAZN commentator said something along the lines of: This boy only played four 10-minute appearances last year… this year, they wanted to send him out on loan. And yet there he was, starting the match and playing with astonishing ease.’
For the Italian tactician, Espart emergence offer clear example of how Barcelona development system fit prepare young players to seize opportunities at highest level. Conte also highlight specific moments from Espart performance, praising both him attacking contribution and confidence on ball. ‘Anthony Gordon was playing out wide, and Espart was cutting inside. He provided an assist and showed great personality,’ Conte conclude.
One report from ysscores talk say Conte note say Espart start despite limited appearances last season, and the player show strong character during match against Getafe and provide assist, even with Anthony Gordon movements on flank he occupy.
