How the academy players have fared so well this pre-season

How the academy players have fared so well this pre-season

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Ronald Koeman has given opportunities to many young players from the Barça academy

Pre-season is a great opportunity for young players who are trying to take their claim for a place in the first team. Ronald Koeman is a firm believer that 'if you're good enough, you're old enough', and has given opportunities to many young players who have came up through the club's ranks so far this pre-season. After the first two pre-season friendlies, SPORT has analysed their performances to date.

Ronald PABLO PÁEZ ‘GAVI’

Gavi was the most impressive young player in the match against Girona, showing a self-confidence beyond his age (16). He combines exquisite technique with robust defensive capabilities, which are not commonly associated with Barcelona academy graduates who play in midfield. Koeman is delighted with the player and will keep him involved with the first team squad for the rest of pre-season.

ALEJANDRO BALDE

He's had two starts already, and has not looked out of place in a back line featuring more experienced players such as Piqué, Umtiti and Dest. The left back, who recently signed a new contract with the club, has demonstrated his athletic prowess and ability to reach the byline over the course of these friendlies. The club views him as a potential future replacement for Jordi Alba.

YUSUF DEMIR

The Austrian forward has burst his way into the first team reckoning. Expectations were high following his arrival, and in two games he has already shown that he is capable of offering something different. Regularly cutting in from the right, he is a player who combines very well with his team mates.

ÁLEX COLLADO

The ex-captain of Barça B has the chance that he's been waiting for. He scored against Nàstic and was involved in one of the best moves of the match against Girona. Collado oozes quality and could benefit from Trincao's loan move to Wolves.

NICO GONZÁLEZ 

Nico González was in the starting eleven for yesterday's game against Girona after missing the first match with a stomach problem. He is one of Ronald Koeman's favourite academy graduates, with the Dutch coach viewing him as the ideal back-up for Sergio Busquets in the defensive midfield role. He performed well against Girona, and is one of the players who could make the step up to the first team if required.

Varios de los jugadores del Barça B, durante la pretemporada

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ARNAU COMAS

The centre back has performed very well in his two first team appearances to date. He played some minutes alongside Gerard Piqué in yesterday's game and showed that he is ready to play when called upon. This year he is expected to be a key part of Sergi Barjuan's back line for Barça B.

IÑAKI PEÑA

Peña has played more minutes than anyone else this pre-season. He has played well, and made a great save from Christian Stuani in yesterday's friendly against Girona. Koeman has faith in him, and he could be Ter Stegen's back-up if Neto leaves the club.

NILS MORTIMER

The Malaga-born forward was included in yesterday's starting XI after coming off the bench in the first game against Nàstic. He missed a good chance to score the opener against Girona, but laid on a perfect assist to Rey Manaj for the Albanian's goal. He will be looking to kick on in Barça B this season.

IGOR

The Brazilian has adapted well to the right back position, where he played for Barça B last season. He covers well defensively and keeps it simple in attacking positions.

N'DIAYE

N'Diaye has been promoted from the 'Juvenil A' category, where he played at centre back and, on occasions, left back. It is the latter position where he has been playing under Ronald Koeman so far this pre-season. The defender has contributed to attacking moves in both friendlies to date, and even tried a long-range effort against Girona.

Ramos Mingo, Matheus Pereira, Escobar, Peke Polo and Hiroke Abe, meanwhile, were only involved in the first friendly against Nàstic. They now look likely to spend the rest of pre-season in Barça B.

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