There is no denying the fact that the youth talents at FC Barcelona have a lot to offer. In times of need, they have perhaps helped the club more than anyone else. Even now, in the Barcelona team led by Hansi Flick, there are a lot of talented youngsters leading the charge.
However, there is no stopping the talent that continues to develop and impress as they go on. Many such players have already made the jump to the first team and are already having a sensational impact on Hansi Flick’s side.
Yet, there are many more gems to uncover still and give such opportunities to. For instance, in the latest clash between Barcelona Atletic and Celta Fortuna, the rather recognizable name of 19-year-old Dani Rodriguez emerged as the game changer that allowed his team to salvage a draw through a comeback.
However, the implications and consequences of that game could well and truly go beyond just one singular point. As highlighted by SPORT, both Joan Laporta and Deco were present within the audience for the game, and the young winger’s sensational performance will undoubtedly have left its mark.
That is because, heading into January of 2025, there is reportedly a feeling that Hansi Flick’s team lacks a certain type of profile. To be precise, that profile would be one of a pure left-winger that is capable of playing on the left flank and effectively occupying that space.
Dani Rodriguez, rather coincidentally, is purely a left-winger who is versatile enough to play anywhere across the frontline as well. Moreover, with two goals scored in his latest outing for Barça Atletic, he is surely making a great point for himself as Hansi Flick looks into the youth categories of the club.
With competitions like the Copa del Rey also coming up ahead in January, it would make sense for the German coach to use more of his squad depth, whether it be from the first team or from the youth categories. Dani Rodriguez, in that sense, could be a frontrunner in terms of the immediate players that the coach can look towards.
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Ilustration, balls for Copa del Rey draw.
MALLORCA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 03: Frenkie de Jong (L) of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal with teammates Raphinha (C) and Pedri (R) during the LaLiga match between RCD Mallorca and FC Barcelona at Estadi de Son Moix on December 03, 2024 in Mallorca, Spain.
MALLORCA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 03: Pau Victor (3rd R) of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal with teammates during the LaLiga match between RCD Mallorca and FC Barcelona at Estadi de Son Moix on December 03, 2024 in Mallorca, Spain.
Thus, instead of a new winter signing, Dani Rodriguez could be Barça’s January revelation. While the likes of Raphinha have already been deployed on the left flank of the attack, it does not suit their natural playing style. The 19-year-old Spanish winger, however, has what it takes to stylistically fill that roll rather perfectly.