‘Underrated’ – Real Madrid legend Valdano launches defence of Barcelona starlet | OneFootball

A former player, manager and member of the boardroom at Real Madrid has on Monday moved to reveal his admiration for the talents of Barcelona youngster Fermín López.

Midfielder Fermín, for his part, has of course enjoyed something of a breakout campaign in Catalunya to date.

Though far from first-choice, the Spaniard has racked up 34 appearances across all competitions, an impressive number for a player of just 20 years.

Not only that, but he has chipped in with six goals, too, several of which proved hugely important to Xavi’s side.

And yet, Fermín remains a regular recipient of criticism on the part of sections of the Barcelona fanbase.

Of the opinion that the youngster does not contribute enough outside of his exploits in front of goal, some have even gone as far as to suggest that he should be considered expendable, in the case of a suitable offer arriving on the Camp Nou desks.

As much comes amid frankly unrealistic expectations for up-and-coming players in Catalunya’s capital at this moment in time, owing to the generational talents of teenage pair Pau Cubarsí, and Lamine Yamal.

As alluded to above, though, late on Monday, Fermín has been staunchly defended, by something of a surprise source.

Speaking in an interview with Movistar Fútbol, as cited by Mundo Deportivo, Jorge Valdano singled the all-action midfielder out for individual praise.

This comes with the former Real Madrid chief of the opinion that Fermín has become altogether ‘underrated’:

“I really like Fermín. It seems to me that he gives consistency to the team. He is a player who I see a little underrated. It seems to me that his performance is much superior to the adjectives that he is collecting out there, because of these things that sometimes happen in football. The truth is that he is having a great season, for me.”

Conor Laird | GSFN