Former Barcelona director talks Yamal, Koeman, Nico Williams – ‘Everyone can have their reasons’ | OneFootball

In a recent interview with MARCA, Ramon Planes, former Barcelona sporting director, talked about things in the world of football, including his time in Saudi Arabia so far.

Planes also talked about his former club, Barcelona, particularly the recent talk around Lamine Yamal and his 18th birthday party celebrations.

Other than that, Planes also discussed Barcelona’s time under Hansi Flick so far as well as the failed Nico Williams transfer.

Planes on Lamine Yamal

Yamal has undoubtedly become a global footballing superstar, which was evident in the way he was received by Japanese fans today.

Asked whether he was surprised by what Lamine Yamal is doing at such a young age, Planes heaped praise on the young attacker.

“I saw Lamine play a lot during my time at Barcelona. He was different. He’s a chosen one. I think he has footballing intelligence, unlike the rest. I like to see players who are different,” he said.

Planes was then asked about the youngster’s birthday party, which caused quite the controversy in Spain. He was specifically asked whether or not he was invited to the party.

“We just had to see him when he was in the big stadiums. And he’s proven it. That said, it’s very important to consolidate him, to protect him.

“It’s very important not to just arrive, but to develop and maintain all that talent. I think he’s a player who, if circumstances allow, can mark an era,” he said, talking about the need to protect Yamal from fame.

Ramon Planes is a huge fan of Lamine Yamal (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Talking about his birthday party, the Spaniard added, “He didn’t invite me. But I think the birthday is a demonstration of what the new generation is like: daring, unapologetic.

“And the great thing about Lamine is that he does the same thing on the pitch. Therefore, he brings that way of seeing life to the field.”

Planes on current Barcelona team, Koeman

On the question of whether he was surprised by Barcelona’s progress last season, Planes had high praise for the team and its young core.

The former sporting director also gave special credit to Ronald Koeman for initiating the generational transition.

“There’s a very good generation, and we have to value what Koeman did. Honestly, I did expect a lot from this generation. I remember conversations about it,” he said.

Planes recalled the painful Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich in 2020 as a pivotal moment.

“There was a before and after Lisbon, the tough Champions League defeat against Bayern. With the arrival of Koeman, I think we have to be very fair to him, because he did a great job in some very complex and difficult situations,” he added.

Planes went on to talk about Barcelona’s youth core which was evident even during his tenure at the club.

“I already saw that there was a generation, which obviously later included players like Lamine, but that there was a generation in which Barça had a great future if they trusted them,” he said.

“This generation is being given continuity, and I see a daring team, a team with ambition, as always, against an opponent like Real Madrid, whom we must have enormous respect for, because I have the feeling it’s an opponent that will bring out that pride, which is intrinsic to the history of Real Madrid.”

Ramon Planes believes Koeman deserves a lot of credit (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

“And it’s going to be a great league for the spectators, with two teams with different strategies, but with a lot of talent and quality,” he added.

Ramon Planes on Nico Williams

Finally, Planes was asked about the much-talked-about Nico Williams case, where Barcelona were strongly linked with the Spanish winger before he signed a new deal with Athletic Club.

“In my 25 years of experience, starting very young at 32 as sporting director at Racing Santander, I’d say this isn’t the first time something like this has happened to me,” he said.

“Having a player who gives the impression that everything is moving towards a deal, that the signing is going to be done, even with mutual declarations of love, and then there’s heartbreak. Everyone can have their reasons, their motives,” he added.

Ramon added that Barcelona did require someone like Nico Williams, but he also admitted that it was a difficult deal to pull off.

“I think it’s true that Barcelona needed a player higher up, who would give them more depth in the rotation and Nico was a perfect player, but I also think everyone knew it wasn’t an easy deal to pull off,” he concluded.