La Masia

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE "U-19" starts in august! " 1st edition"

The tournament, the first of its kind in Europe, organised by UEFA aims to help academy players make the transition from youth to first team. Organiser Mark Warburton believes the tournament will help prepare young playersfor the pressures associated with elite level football.

There will be four groups of four teams each, with the top two from each group progressing to the knock-out stages, which begin in January.

Barca will be competing against Liverpool, Inter Milan, Man City, Marseille, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Sporting Lisbon, Wolfsburg, PSV, Celtic, FC Basel, Molde, Fenerbahce & Rosenborg.

Youth Transfers ( Updated 20/6/2011)

`IN:

- Barcelona sign Guinean youngster Brahima Fati. Brahima is likely to play for Cadet B/U-16 side despite being just 13 years. Brahima is tall phusical midfielder with excellent touch and powerul shot. he will further strengthen an already brillian Cadet B side withthe like of Alxis Meva, Ayoub, Paik, Rafa Mir, Canos, Josue etc..

- Barcelona sign Guinean youngster Sorpreson(13) . Despite being an year younger, Sorpreson will play for the Cadet B/U-16 side next season!

- Jose Aurelio Suarez (15, GK, TSK Roces) & Joel Valencia (16, CM, Zaragoza) signs for Barca! Joel Valencia is a Spanish U17 Midfielder of Ecuadorian descent, stands-out for his technical ability, but also has great physical prowess!

- Barcelona signs Rodrigo Tarin (16, CB) from CF Cracks, Rodrigo will play for Barca Juvenil B next season, he is currently Spain U-16 Player!

- Barcelona sign Gava CF midfielder Joan Ines (15) who from next year will be playing at the clubs Cadet B side.
`Video: Joan goal against Barca last season
https://www.youtube.com/watch?nomobile=1&v=SKvgf_b68vU

- Barca have signed Malaga Mid/Fwd Brahim Abdelkader Diaz (11). Brahimcould play with the clubs Infantil A/B (U-14) next season!
`Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaQE3UyDhhM

- Barca have signed Villafranca's Mid Alex Monero (18) who unless Barca "C" is created will be playing with Juvenil A (U-19)next season

`OUT

- Roger Canadell (17, Juvenil B)

- Jon Total (16, Midfielder, Spain U-16) to Arsenal,Barcelona receives from Arsenal a compensation of €400.000, The player will earn €350.000 a year. [sport]

- Hector Bellerin (16, RB/RW, Spain U-16) to Arsenal, Barcelona receives from Arsenal a compensation of €400.000 for Cadete A player Hector Bellerin (16), who'll earn €240.000 a year. [as]

- Pol Garcia (16, LCB, Spain U-16) to Juventus!


"Contracts Renewal"

- Cadet B midfielder Simon Colina (07-02-95) has renewed his contract with the club. He will be part of the Juvenil B side next season.

- Juvenil A Defenders Oriol Rossel (07-07-92) & Sergi Gomez (28-03-1992 ) renews his contract with Barca. They is going to promoted to Barca "B" next season!
Also, Christian Tello (11-08-1991, Barca "B") renews his contract!
Montoya (RB, 14-04-1991, Barca"B") & Sergi Roberto ( 07-02-1992,Midfielder, Barca B ) are close to renew their contracts also!
[sport]

- Cadet A youngsters and Spain youth internationals Pol Balleste(16, GK) and Ivan Romano(16, LW) renewed their contracts with Barcelona[sport]

- Senegalese forward Keita Balde (16, Forward) who spent the second half of previous season on loan at Cornella, will return to Barcelona next season.

-Ex-Barca player Eidur Gudjonsen's son and Alevin A player Sveinn Gudjohnsen will leave the clubs academy this season

- Joshua Angoy Cruyff, Johan Cruyff’s grandson and son of ex-azulgrana player Jesús Mariano Angoy, will abandon FC Barcelona’s youth system after competing for two years with the base of Blaugrana teams, first in the Cadet then in the Juvenil teams.

Read more: http://www.totalbarca.com/#ixzz1Q3AKJwUa


Source: youngcules

How come Arsenal aren't participating in the CL U-19?

`Statement Leeds United (regarding Eliott Kebbie's Barcelona test): "The youngster relocated to Spain earlier this summer with his mother."

"The club has retained its right to compensation should he choose to pursue a career in Spain." [leedsunited.com]

Note: Eliott kebbie is making tryout with Barca U-17, he started against Ajax in WC clubs U-17 yesterday!!
More Info about the Tournament(WC Clubs U-17): https://goallegacy.forumotion.com/t59-barca-youth-busy-summer

If it goes through, the England will finally begin to have some technically good players.

Roberto is a f***king crack man! Can't wait for this kid and Thiago to boss the midfield.

What a goal against Granada!

BarcaKizz wrote:

Roberto is a f***king crack man! Can't wait for this kid and Thiago to boss the midfield.

What a goal against Granada!

This is really bad:S:S
we have alot for great talents:S:S
especially in the midfield!!
Thiago,JDS,SergiRoberto, Espinosa, Rafinha ALL these players can make it @ Barca!

still alot more playing for U-17 & U-16 like:
Sergi Samper, Pol calvet, Nando Quesada, David Babunski etc.. :S:S

Plus look @ this Greek Player "Giorgios Spanoudakis" (12, Midfielder, Barca U-13/ Infantil B)

( 3 videos,7 to 11 minutes each!!):

2009

[youtube] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jB-S9MWFs0&feature=related [/youtube]

2010

[youtube] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRCYsXjt3KE&feature=related [/youtube]

2011

Khaledbarca wrote:

BarcaKizz wrote:

Roberto is a f***king crack man! Can't wait for this kid and Thiago to boss the midfield.

What a goal against Granada!

this really sucks:S:S
we have alot for great talents:S:S
especially in the midfield!!
Thiago,JDS,SergiRoberto, Espinosa, Rafinha ALL thse players hs it!

still alot more playing for U-17 & U-16 like:
Sergi Samper, Pol calvet, Nando Quesada, David Babunski etc.. :S:S

Plus look @ this Greek Player "Giorgios Spanoudakis" (12, Midfielder, Barca U-13/ Infantil B)

( 3 videos, each 7 to 11 mnutes!!):

2009: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jB-S9MWFs0&feature=related
2010: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRCYsXjt3KE&feature=related
2011: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myuSDB7KlfM&feature=related

This guy looks really promising, where does he play now? Infantil B or in one of the Cadet teams?

Barca U-19 Qualifies to Copa del Rey "U-19" Final

Barca Juvenil A drew 3-3 against Deportivo in the 2nd leg of the Copa del Rey Juvenil semifinal ( agg. 7-4 for Barca)
- Barca Goals: Dongou (2), Deulofeu (1)

======================================


Juvenil A: Festival of goals and a place in the final (3-3)

FC Barcelona’s Juvenil A has won a place in the final of the Copa del Rey juvenil after tying 3-3 with Deportivo in a game where the scorers were Dongou (2) and Gerard Deulofeu.

The first leg’s 1-4 result did not dull what turned out to be a spectacular match as Barça reached the final of the Copa del Rey juvenil for the first time in three years.

Jean Marie Dongou has been the reference for Juvenil A in the first 45 minutes. The Cameroonian came close with a left footed shot in the 3rd minute and only three minutes later, opened the scoring with a fine solo move.

Deportivo was able to equalize thanks to a dubious penalty which Alex Ares converted in the 15th minute.

The Galician team did not pack their defense and instead wanted to play in a similar manner to the blaugrana. The match was open, and with so much space the Catalans generated a lot of chances.

The second goal came again from Dongou, assisted by Javi Espinosa. It was in the 31st minute of the match and the tie seemed resolved in favour of Barça.

Before the break, Patri scored a goal that was nullified for a nonexistent offside.

The game itself did not change in the second half, which was marked by the joy each team was taking in their creative play.

Deportivo, with their defense well advanced up the field, were unable to stop a player as fast as Deulofeu, who proved able to run behind the defensive line.

In the 59th minute, a great move between Dongou and Deulofeu resulted in a spectacular goal by Gerard that seemed to solve the game’s outcome.

And although Deulofeu and Ernesto have had chances to add more goals, it was Deportivo who saw their shots hit the back of the net in the final quarter-hour.

Alex Perez, with a fabulous individual maneuver, shortened Barcelona’s lead after 75th minutes. The Deportivo striker also took advantage of some referee confusion, using a ball that started out of bounds to tie the game with only 4 minutes remaining.

Barça will play against Espanyol in Ceuta in the final of the Copa del Rey juvenil. The blue and white have drawn (1-1) against Rayo in Sant Adrià after getting a good away result in Vallecas (0-3).

FC Barcelona: Unzué (Carlos, 74′), Carlos Julio, Gómez (Bako, 76′), Ayala, Balliu (Rosell, 61′), Palacio, Ernesto, Patri, Dongou, Espinosa (Masó, 61′), Etock ( Deulofeu, 28′)

Deportivo: David (Rodrigo, 81′), Uxío, Adrián, Fernando (Robert, 36′), Insúa, Alex (Tomás, 62′), Iago, Queijeiro, Luis (Brais, 54′), Lemos (Manu, 45′ ), Álex Pérez

`Goals:
1-0, Dongou, 6′
1-1, Alex, 15′
2-1, Dongou, 31′
3-1, Deulofeu, 59′
3-2, Álex Pérez, 75′
3-3, Álex Pérez, 86′



Read more: http://www.totalbarca.com/2011/news/juvenil-a-festival-of-goals-and-a-place-in-the-final-3-3/#ixzz1PgVXIbOQ

=========================

Match Highlights:

Piquenbauer wrote: This guy looks really promising, where does he play now? Infantil B or in one of the Cadet teams?

yes he is

http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/futbol/temporada_10-11/futbol_base/FCB_Infantil_B.html

I decided to raise the debate of Fontas vs. Muniesa vs. Bartra vs. Gomez.

For now Fontas is the best, but he's quite a few years older than Gomez and Muniesa in particular. Who do you guys think is most likely to make it, considering we already have Pique and there's generally a maximum of 4 centrebacks.

I thought this would be an interesting topic to watch during preseason. I think Muniesa and Gomez are the most talented, but its really very close as they all have different skills. Bartra seems to lack a bit defensively but he's definitely the best on the ball of all 4. Hopefully we see them in preseason...

BarcaKizz wrote:I decided to raise the debate of Fontas vs. Muniesa vs. Bartra vs. Gomez.

For now Fontas is the best, but he's quite a few years older than Gomez and Muniesa in particular. Who do you guys think is most likely to make it, considering we already have Pique and there's generally a maximum of 4 centrebacks.

I thought this would be an interesting topic to watch during preseason. I think Muniesa and Gomez are the most talented, but its really very close as they all have different skills. Bartra seems to lack a bit defensively but he's definitely the best on the ball of all 4. Hopefully we see them in preseason...

i'm waiting to see more of them this summer, before judging..

Munies/Gomez @ Spain U-19 "euro U-19/2011"
- 20 July --> 1 August

Bartra with Spain U-20 "WC U-20"
- 3 July --> 20 August

& Fontas in pre-season with Barca!
- Players will return on 18 July, first match on 23 July in croatia!

Video: Jean Marie Dongou (16, Forward) all 8 goals in Copa del Rey Juvenil(U-19) 2011




Note: Barca U-19 are in the Copa Final & they will play against Espanyol this week!

=====================

Gerard Deulofeu(17,Winger) vs Deportivo (Semifinal Copa del Rey 2011)

Enguene Lionel (15, Midfielder, Cameroon)

Zacharie Lionel Enguene has become one of the most promising midfielders in La Masia.

The story begins as a footballer Enguene on the streets of Bertoua, where he used to play with his brothers until the age of 7 his father decided to put him in a club, Effefa, so start your training as a footballer.A year later he joined the Samuel Eto'o, four months before the approval of FC Barcelona joining after seeing him in The Farm Youngsters Football Championship 7, Arona, allowing it to reach the likes of The Farm Gael Etock or Armand Ella, now in the Youth A.

Enguene, born January 7, 1996, has played in this year's Cadet B FC Barcelona team that has been proclaimed champions with 13 goals to work decisively and being the captain.He also made his debut with the Cadet A, even scoring a goal.

Within the first team, could play both Enguene position like Xavi Iniesta, although maybe his game is the closest to Thiago. Lionel footballing highlights for its power and great one on one. A player who desequilbra from behind, rolling his opponents with his big stride and his ability to take the final pass to the forwards.It also has great knack for scoring goals coming from the second line of attack.

The boy, who came only to Barcelona, ​​is visited by his parents once a year thanks to FC Barcelona. Miss your family and friends is something that can not be avoided, but as he tells his father, if he does it all will be well rewarded. Although his name is Lionel Enguene, Xavi and Iniesta admires, who imitates to someday fulfill his dream, playing for FC Barcelona.

Source: http://www.airfutbol.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3122:enguene-otro-lionel-se-acerca-&catid=81:noticias-destacadas

i wonder how hard it is to get on the barca youth team...

It seems that Etock (18, CF, Barca U-19) signed for chelsea a 4 year contract, Etock was a very promising talent, he came to Barca through Eto'o's foundation in the Cameroon when he was 12 years old! ( first player to come from cameroon fou...ndation, which was created in 2006)...
Etock spent last season on the bench for Barca U-19 "team which won the Treble this season" becuz of Dongou (16, CF, Cameroon)!!
Note: Etock who plays for Cameroon U-20, will spend next season on loan @ Sporting Lisbon (Portugal)!!

- It will be a good move for Etock. With Dongou(16,CF,Barca U-19) around he would'nt have had much chance. Etock kind of stalled over the last season. Especially with the emergence of Dongou he didn't see a lot of minutes.

Gd Luck

khaled, did Etock leave with our blessings or was there something unpleasant involved?

messixaviesta wrote:khaled, did Etock leave with our blessings or was there something unpleasant involved?

As mentioned, I think Etock fell out of favour a little and other players came through. Unfortunately, as so often happens with youth, this began with injury as he missed I believe about half of his season and then could not get back into the team.

messixaviesta wrote:khaled, did Etock leave with our blessings or was there something unpleasant involved?

its not official yet.. source is AS.com! ( i don't know if its his choice or he was released) but his contract ends this season? so maybe Barca didn't renewd his contarct? when i know i will post it here..

like Kizz said, it starts with an injury.. Dongou & Rafinha (false 9) have made big improvment this season & Etock spend most of the time on becn ( playing as a sub), this might be the true reason foe leaving! he is still gd but @ Barca u have to be Great.. since Dongou & Rafinha are playing more, are better now, Etock chances of making B Team & than first team are very small.. so leaving the club was expected!!

OFFICIAL: 22 year old winger of Hospitalet, and formerly of the FCB Escola, Cristian Lobato has signed for Barca B.

Lobato is a fast left-winger who can also play as fullback.

Youth Transfers ( Updated 30/6/2011)

`IN:

- Official: l'Hospitalet winger Cristian Lobato (22) signs for Barcelona B, Lobato, who playd at la masia as a child, plays as a fullback or winger. He will thus be the 1st signing of Barca B under Eusebio.

- Barcelona sign Guinean youngster Brahima Fati. Brahima is likely to play for Cadet B/U-16 side despite being just 13 years. Brahima is tall phusical midfielder with excellent touch and powerul shot. he will further strengthen an already brillian Cadet B side withthe like of Alxis Meva, Ayoub, Paik, Rafa Mir, Canos, Josue etc..

- Barcelona sign Guinean youngster Sorpreson(13) . Despite being an year younger, Sorpreson will play for the Cadet B/U-16 side next season!

- Jose Aurelio Suarez (15, GK, TSK Roces) & Joel Valencia (16, CM, Zaragoza) signs for Barca! Joel Valencia is a Spanish U17 Midfielder of Ecuadorian descent, stands-out for his technical ability, but also has great physical prowess!

- Barcelona signs Rodrigo Tarin (16, CB) from CF Cracks, Rodrigo will play for Barca Juvenil B next season, he is currently Spain U-16 Player!

- Barcelona sign Gava CF midfielder Joan Ines (15) who from next year will be playing at the clubs Cadet B side.
`Video: Joan goal against Barca last season
https://www.youtube.com/watch?nomobile=1&v=SKvgf_b68vU

- Barca have signed Malaga Mid/Fwd Brahim Abdelkader Diaz (11). Brahimcould play with the clubs Infantil A/B (U-14) next season!
`Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaQE3UyDhhM

- Barca have signed Villafranca's Mid Alex Monero (18) who unless Barca "C" is created will be playing with Juvenil A (U-19)next season

-----------------------------

"Contracts Renewal"

-Cadet B left winger Mohamed el Ouriachi 'Moha' is likely to remain at Barca despite Real Madrid offering twice the wages. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is however keen on signing Moha and remains in contact with the players entourage. Moroccan winger, Not a great goal scorer, but provides tonnes of assists. Got some slick skill.

- Cadet B midfielder Simon Colina (07-02-95) has renewed his contract with the club. He will be part of the Juvenil B side next season.

- Juvenil A Defenders Oriol Rossel (07-07-92) & Sergi Gomez (28-03-1992 ) renews his contract with Barca. They is going to promoted to Barca "B" next season!
Also, Christian Tello (11-08-1991, Barca "B") renews his contract!
Montoya (RB, 14-04-1991, Barca"B") & Sergi Roberto ( 07-02-1992,Midfielder, Barca B ) are close to renew their contracts also!
[sport]

- Cadet A youngsters and Spain youth internationals Pol Balleste(16, GK) and Ivan Romano(16, LW) renewed their contracts with Barcelona[sport]

- Senegalese forward Keita Balde (16, Forward) who spent the second half of previous season on loan at Cornella, will return to Barcelona next season.

--------------------------------

`OUT

- Roger Canadell (17, Juvenil B)

- Jon Total (16, Midfielder, Spain U-16) to Arsenal,Barcelona receives from Arsenal a compensation of €400.000, The player will earn €350.000 a year. [sport]

- Hector Bellerin (16, RB/RW, Spain U-16) to Arsenal, Barcelona receives from Arsenal a compensation of €400.000 for Cadete A player Hector Bellerin (16), who'll earn €240.000 a year. [as]

- Pol Garcia (16, LCB, Spain U-16) to Juventus!

- Pepe Palau joins Valencia!

-Ex-Barca player Eidur Gudjonsen's son and Alevin A player Sveinn Gudjohnsen will leave the clubs academy this season

- Joshua Angoy Cruyff, Johan Cruyff’s grandson and son of ex-azulgrana player Jesús Mariano Angoy, will abandon FC Barcelona’s youth system after competing for two years with the base of Blaugrana teams, first in the Cadet then in the Juvenil teams.
Read more: http://www.totalbarca.com/#ixzz1Q3AKJwUa

- It seems that Etock (18, CF, Barca U-19) signed for chelsea a 4 year contract, Etock was a very promising talent, he came to Barca through Eto'o's foundation in the Cameroon when he was 12 years old! ( first player to come from cameroon foundation, which was created in 2006)...
Etock spent last season on the bench for Barca U-19 "team which won the Treble this season" becuz of Dongou (16, CF, Cameroon)!!
`Note: Etock who plays for Cameroon U-20, will spend next season on loan @ Sporting Lisbon (Portugal)!!
It will be a good move for Etock. With Dongou(16,CF,Barca U-19) around he would'nt have had much chance. Etock kind of stalled over the last season. Especially with the emergence of Dongou he didn't see a lot of minutes.

Gd Luck


-----------------------------

Other Players who left Barca this season:

- Icardi (18, CF) from Juvenil A to Sampdoria!
- Ceballos (19, CAM) from Juvenil A to Tottenham!
- Gai Assulin (20, Winger) freeagent (Juvenil A) to Man City!
- Rochina (20, CF) from Barca "B" to Blackburn! (still has a buyback option)!
- Alex (20, GK) from Juvenil A to Zaragoza! (still has a buyback option), Alex will play for Spain U-20 this summer in WC U-20, he was Spain U-29 starter Gk last season!

etc..

Juvenil A fwd Jean Marie Dongou(16) scord 47 goals for Barca this season, despite playing opposition 3-4 yrs older than him. Crack.

League, Copa & Champions League "U-19" Updates (Results, Upcoming matches, Videos & Stats..)

=============================

>>> Juvenil "A" Trophies <<<

`Copa de Campeones Juvenil de Fútbol (3): 2004/2005, 2008/2009, 2010,2011

This competition was founded in 1995 by the RFEF.

------------------

`Copa del Rey Juvenil de Fútbol (18):

- Copa del Generalísimo from 1951 until 1976 (6): 1951, 1959, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976

- Copa del Rey from 1977 until now (12):1977, 1980, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1994, 1996, 2000,2002, 2005, 2006, 2011

This competition was founded in 1951 & its managed by the RFEF.
-----------------

D. HONOR JUVENIL (Group 3/Regional) League is not included!

=============================

>>> OFFICIAL: Barca Juvenil A "U-19" 2011/2012 Squad <<<

- Goalkeepers : Miguel Bañuz, Sergi Tienda & Pol Balleste who (will rotate between Juvenil A and B)

- Defenders : Edu Campabadal, Carlos Julio Martinez, Bako, Frank Bagnack, Sergio Ayala, Brian Olivan and Alex Grimaldo.

- Midfielders : Pol Calvet, Patri Gabarrón, Nando Quesada, Jordi Limerick, Miguel Ángel Sainz.

- Forwards: Ernesto Cornejo, Armand Ella, Cristian Herrera, Jean Marie Dongou and Alex Moreno.


`Other players can be promoted throughout the season especially from FCBarcelona Juvenil "B"
Example: Sergi Samper (1995, DM/CM).

`More Info:
http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/castellano/noticies/futbol_base/temporada11-12/07/21/n110721118493.html


==========================

The top two from each group will progress into the knock-out phase to be held in January 2012, possibly in Abu Dhabi.

BARCELONA Matches in GroupStage:

AUG 31 - CELTIC (A)
SEP 14 - MAN CITY (A)
SEP 28 - MARSEILLE (H)
OCT 19 - MARSEILLE (A)
NOV 02 - MAN CITY (H)
NOV 23 - CELTIC (H)

----------------

`Groups:


Group 1: BARCELONA, MANCHESTER CITY, CELTIC, MARSEILLE

Group 2: LIVERPOOL, SPORTING LISBON, MOLDE, WOLFSBURG

Group 3: BASEL, TOTTENHAM, PSV EINDHOVEN, INTER MILAN

Group 4: AJAX, ROSENBORG, ASTON VILLA, FENERBAHCE


`More Info:
http://www.nextgenseries.com/

Etock & Ella @ WC U-20 with Cameroon!


Barcelona’s famed training academy, La Masia, has been in the news recently as its past generations have combined to make a masterful team, as confirmed before a global audience in the UEFA Champions League final victory against Manchester United. But two current members of the academy are in line to make news in a different way: by participating in the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia for Cameroon.

Both Armand Ella and Gael Etock are young Africans making waves in the junior structures of the Spanish club after being recommended to the European champions by its most famous African of recent times, Samuel Eto’o. A nimble attacker, Ella impressed at the African Youth Championship in April where Cameroon finished second to reach Colombia 2011. Etock is also a forward, one possessing a surprising turn of pace and an explosive technique. He is a player that has often been compared to Cameroon’s all-time leading score Eto’o. The highly-rated pair, however, represent just two of a myriad of internationally-based talent that Cameroon’s under-20 coach Martin Ndtoungou Mpile can chose from as he sits down in the next days to decide on his team for the championship.


Fresh from a tour of several European countries to select players for his squad, the coach has a remarkable panoply of youngsters to look at from clubs across the world. The sheer range of choices represents the wide swath of talented players that departed their home shores at a young age to seek their footballing fortunes around the globe.

More Info: http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/news/newsid=1444632/index.html?cid=twitter_u20worldcup

LoOOOOoL!!!

To Expect From Arsenal’s Catalan Kids
Published on July 1st, 2011


Arsenal formally completed the signings of Jon Toral and Héctor Bellerín today, with their Barcelona contracts expiring last night. The deals were done months ago, and with the dust now settled after their difficult departure from La Masia, attention starts to turn to their debut campaigns in London.

The two Spanish Under 16 midfielders both come with good reputations, but not much else is known about the duo Arsène Wenger caused a row with Barça in signing. On top of that, what part can we expect they’ll play in the short term?

`Jon Toral
Toral is seen as the best equipped to settle quickly. His English connection through his mother and good physique mean there won’t be too many surprises, which should allow him to blossom earlier. On top of that, Jon has always admitted his desire to play in England, despite his parents and coaches trying to put him off. A move to Arsenal came naturally, despite Spanish media claims of the club poaching him.

A tall, strong and physical midfielder, Toral can play pretty much anywhere in the middle, but some have already suggested he may take up the holding role in front of the back four. His good vision and ability to pick accurate and incisive short and long range passes will make Toral a solid asset, but both Steve Bould and Neil Banfield like balance, and being left footed, a place in the ‘Jack Wilshere role’ seems more likely.

`Héctor Bellerín
Bellerín is perhaps the most exciting signing. A fast winger who can play in a variety of forward positions, his excellent delivery, skillful approach and superb technique make him a real danger. Héctor turned down a new contract in Catalunya to join Arsenal, and after some brilliant performances in the Caspian Cup with Spain’s Under 16′s, he’s arrives in top form.

The 16-year-old can play as an out-and-out centre forward, where he has a reputation for being a goal poacher. Héctor has also filled in at right back, but it seems a role on the wing will be his true home.

Both players are expected to start off with Steve Bould’s Under 18′s, then move into Neil Banfield’s Reserve team as the season progresses. Toral already arrives with a slight ankle injury, but he’s expected to shake that off and begin pre-season as normal.

All in all, Arsenal’s latest Barcelona recruits look set for a promising debut campaign.

http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2011/07/what-to-expect-from-arsenals-catalan-kids/

Can someone explain to me why there are 4 english teams?