Barcelona will take the flight to the USA tomorrow as they gear up to play three friendly encounters as part of their preparations for the 2024/25 season.
Since starting the pre-season training on July 10, new manager Hansi Flick has given a chance to a number of youth prospects from Barcelona to train with the senior setup.
After all, a large number of first-team players have been unavailable due to injuries or delayed returns after international assignments.
As such, over the past couple of weeks, the German tactician has been getting a good look at the riches of La Masia and there is a good chance that a number of those young talents will be on the flight to the US tomorrow.
Nine players certain to travel
Now, SPORT reports that amongst the plethora of youth and reserve team players that Flick has called up to train with the Barcelona first team, eight prospects are guaranteed to be on the tour for the US.
Indeed, as per the report, Ander Astralaga, Hector Fort, Marc Casado, Marc Bernal, Noah Darvich, Mika Faye, Gerard Martin and Unai Hernandez are all certain to be on the squad list for the US tour.
Hector Fort will travel to the USA. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Considering that Marc-Andre ter Stegen returned late to training after the Euro 2024, having cover in the goalkeeping position makes sense which is why Astralaga is expected to travel, along with second-choice stopper Inaki Pena.
Fort, meanwhile, is set to compete directly with Julian Araujo for the right-back position given that Joao Cancelo has not been re-signed and Jules Kounde has not rejoined training yet.
Gerard Martin got some minutes against UE Olot and will be in contention for the backup left-back position.
Unai Hernandez and Faye missed the Olot friendly due to physical issues but both are rated very highly and given the absences in midfield and defence, respectively, will likely get chances on the US tour.
The same holds for Noah Darvich, who Flick and his staff rate highly…
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/eight-barcelona-youth-talents-guaranteed-to-be-on-the-us-pre-season-tour-report/
Author : Michel Durant
Publish date : 2024-07-27 16:41:21
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