Yahoo Sports Barcelona already have a replacement for Lamine Yamal within the academy – report
Toni Fernandez is emerging as one of the most promising talents at Barcelona, and he is being seen as the ideal player to step into Lamine Yamal’s role when needed, reports SPORT.
The outlet mentions that the 16-year-old has already impressed Hansi Flick, but a recent ankle injury has delayed his return until December. However, once he is back to full fitness, he could provide an effective alternative for Yamal when the young star needs rest or faces injury.
It must be noted that During pre-season, Flick had the opportunity to observe many of Barcelona’s young players closely, and Toni stood out as one of the most exciting prospects.
Even at just 15 years old, the left-footed playmaker showed incredible quality and vision, which caught the attention of the manager.
As the first-team squad began to recover, he returned to Barça Atletic, despite being slated to play for the Juvenil A team this season.
Yet to make a debut
Though Toni has been called up to the first team for five matches, he has yet to make his debut. Despite not featuring on the pitch, the young player has felt Flick’s trust and confidence in him.
However, a syndesmosis injury to his right ankle has sidelined him from action recently, preventing him from being part of his team for the time being.
The 16-year-old is a unique player, and it is important to not place too much pressure on him by comparing him directly to Yamal. This is because while Yamal is known for his dynamic wing play, Toni is more of a playmaker.
He has an exceptional ability to read the game, create imaginative passes, and find the back of the net with ease. These are qualities that make him difficult to compare directly to Yamal, but he can certainly offer a different dimension when he returns to full fitness.
In his appearances with Barça Atletic, Toni has often played a similar attacking role to Yamal. This experience has helped him grow and develop his game further.
It is expected that Toni will be fully recovered in around three weeks and once he regains his form, Flick will be able to consider him as a potential replacement for Yamal when necessary, providing valuable depth for the team.
