Riqui Puig And Carles Aleña ‘New’ Signings As FC Barcelona Will Finally Give La Masia A Chance

For all the bright-eyed self promotion and talk of “Made in La Masia”, FC Barcelona sometimes have a funny way of showing that they are proud of their world-famous academy and trust the fruits of its labor.

This was no better illustrated in late 2019 and the turn of 2020. In a dead-rubber Champions League Group F tie away at Inter Milan, midfielder Carles Aleña and forward Carles Perez both started for the Blaugrana, and were impressive while the latter scored the opener for the visitors.

To seal their side’s first-ever victory in the San Siro, another graduate in Ansu Fati replaced Perez off the bench and made it 2-1 when bagging a stunning 86th minute winner.

The abovementioned slogan was plastered all over social media, but shortly after, as the year drew to a close, Aleña was loaned out to Real Betis in search of first team football.

While the coach had given Ansu Fati his August debut during the injury-induced absences of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, the blame was laid at Ernesto Valverde’s feet for not trusting in youth players and snubbing not only Aleña, but also Riqui Puig.

In early January, Valverde was fired following a Super Cup semi-final loss to Atletico Madrid, but primarily because it was felt the club needed a figure in charge that would be more faithful to its all-important DNA and philosophy, of which promoting La Masia products is an integral component.

Noted Cruyffista Quique Setien was brought in to replace him, which led many to conclude that Puig would finally rise to prominence.

Yet while the Matadepera native made an encouraging cameo in Setien’s maiden outing, by starting the move that resulted in Messi’s winner against Granada, senior nods have been scarce since flopping in a subsquent Copa del Rey tie with Ibiza.

Similarly falling flat on the Balearic Isle, Perez was also told he had become surplus to requirements at his boyhood club, and headed to Roma before the close of the January transfer window.

According to SPORT however, and a report published on Monday morning, Aleña and Puig will both get their chances in the first team in 2020/2021 after a decision was “taken” backstage at the Camp Nou.

“Barça feel both young midfielders are ready to contribute much more than they have done so far and will look to move on older players and replace them with youth,” claims an editorial, adding that “Aleña and Puig will be in Quique Setien’s squad and will have a shirt number” while “it is now up to them to fight for their place”.

Their contracts expiring in June 2021 and 2022 respectively, FC Barcelona will also be mindful of staying on the right side of Puig and Aleña to avoid them walking on frees, in a development that would be unforgivable to many fans if the pair truly possess the potential believed of them.