Why sign when Barça have talent in house?

The presence of Ansu Fati and Carles Pérez in Barcelona's first team is sensational news for the club because it's the perfect demonstration of the value of the academy and what the investment in youngsters brings. 

Barça spend up to 25 million euros each season on youth football. A lot of money, some say. Sure. However, any investment is little because this club's best years have come when the team has an academy spine. 

In a short space of time, Barça have seen both sides of the coin. Spending 40 million euros on Malcom to be the fifth choice forward, or two or three million to loan Murillo and Boateng, who didn't add anything... They opted to spend rather than back the academy, which was more than capable of delivering. 

As Ansu is proving. As Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta, Sergi Roberto proved... These players add something that not all new signings can add at Camp Nou. 

If in the past we have criticised Valverde for not using the academy, now we must applaud him for using Perez and Ansu as parts of his attack, along with Messi, Suarez, Griezmann and Dembele. Time will show their role in Barça's history, but the opportunity is there for them right now.