Iniesta talks Yamal, Olmo, Pedri, Ansu, La Masia, Flick | OneFootball

Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta recently spoke with Mundo Deportivo about Barcelona’s progress and the club’s focus on young talents under Hansi Flick.

Iniesta believes Barcelona’s recent emphasis on developing youth players has been a wise investment, and he is confident that the team is on the right path to winning titles this season.

When discussing football with his children, Iniesta mentioned how his kids often ask for jerseys of some of the club’s brightest stars.

Unsurprisingly, Lamine Yamal is a popular request. In addition, his son Paolo Andrea also asked for Dani Olmo’s shirt, while the names of Ansu Fati and Pedri also came up.

“Lamine Yamal, obviously, and Paolo Andrea asked me for Dani Olmo’s. I’m also asked for Ansu’s and Pedri’s,” he began by saying.

Thoughts on Lamine Yamal

Iniesta has nothing but praise for Lamine Yamal. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Regarding Lamine Yamal, Iniesta was asked whether it’s normal for a player so young to perform at such an exceptional level.

Iniesta acknowledged that it’s far from typical. What Yamal has achieved so far is extraordinary, and at just 17 years old, the youngster has his entire career ahead of him.

“It’s not normal as we think of normality. What he’s doing so far is not normal. The challenge is that the environment and what accompanies him guide him to that evolution.

“He’s 17 years old, he has his whole career ahead of him and what he must do is continue enjoying that joy and the freedom of playing in the school playground,” he added.

Iniesta emphasised that the environment around Yamal will be crucial to his development, allowing him to enjoy the freedom of playing football while continuously improving.

“Therefore, everything around him must accompany him so that his growth continues every year.

“Every year he will have to improve himself and that is the demand that he will have at Barça and in the national team and that at the same time is not easy.”

La Masia then and now

Iniesta will always have faith in La Masia. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Iniesta also touched upon the rich history of La Masia. He recalled how La Masia nurtured talents like himself, Xavi, Carles Puyol, and Victor Valdes under Louis van Gaal.

Fast forward to today, managers like Ronald Koeman, Xavi, and Flick have shown courage by giving early opportunities to younger players.

Iniesta highlighted that La Masia’s consistent success is no accident. Behind the scenes, there is immense work going on, making it the best academy in the world.

“Because there is an impressive amount of work behind it and it is the number one youth academy in the world. There are times when it seems that no one is coming up, but they always are.”

Even when it seems like no one new is emerging, the talent pipeline never stops. Currently, five or six players have broken through because they have reached the required level of performance.

“ What is happening right now is impressive, with five or six players who either have that level or they don’t play.

“It is a satisfaction and a joy. There is something that doesn’t change. When this club has needed the youth academy, the youth academy always responds.”

Thoughts on Pedri

Iniesta is in awe of Pedri. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

On Pedri, Iniesta expressed his admiration, stating that Pedri’s simplicity and natural approach to the game are his greatest strengths.

“That naturalness and simplicity, when it is so difficult to play simply. How he moves and how he understands the game.

“It comes naturally to him and he has been demonstrating that level of play for some time now.”

Finally, Iniesta was optimistic about Barcelona’s prospects this season under Hansi Flick. He believes the club is on the right track and has the potential to compete for titles.

If things continue to go well, Iniesta hopes that by April or May, discussions will revolve around Barcelona’s real chances of securing trophies. With the groundwork being laid so effectively, the future looks bright for Barcelona.

“I always see Barça as having the potential to do so. Things are being done very well and from there I hope that it will continue and in April or May we can talk about the possibilities being real. That is what we hope for,” he concluded.