Chapter 8: Loan Arrangements
Chapter 8: Loan Arrangements
If the first goal was scored based on individual ability, the second goal was a result of utilizing one's organizational skills to connect the team's attacking play in the front court, ultimately resulting in a goal.
"This goal shouldn't have been conceded!"
On the sidelines, the coaching staff members applauded the substitute team while expressing their dissatisfaction with the main team conceding a goal.
"The possession-based tactics are impressive, but they demand too much from the players!"
"That's right. The first team has players like Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, and a bunch of other excellent midfielders. Even a talented defensive midfielder like Mascherano couldn't find a spot and had to play as a defender."
"On the other hand, when we look at our youth team, besides Luis, the rest of our midfielders are lacking in terms of skills. Without a strong midfield, it's normal for us not to achieve the possession style of play that the main team has."
The main team did create opportunities. In fact, during the period when they pressed the substitute team, they managed to take three shots, with two of them hitting the frame of the goal.
Unfortunately, the forwards of the youth team had a significant gap in individual ability compared to Luis. Their shots couldn't find the back of the net either because they were blocked or saved by the goalkeeper.
As a result, the situation on the field showed that the main team had a significantly higher ball possession rate but was unable to score.
This made the coaches of the youth team involuntarily think of the Spanish national team.
The Spanish national team boasts shining stars, especially their midfield maestros. They could form a team on their own! Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Fabregas, Alonso, David Silva, Mata, Cazorla, Navas, and others. Each of them is the core of their respective clubs' midfield.
With such a strong midfield lineup, the Spanish team easily controls the midfield.
However, the embarrassing part is that Spain lacks a super forward, a finisher like Messi.
As a result, Spain's matches often end up with dominance in possession but difficulties in scoring against strong opponents, struggling to break through their defenses.
In the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, when Spain faced strong teams like Portugal, Paraguay, Germany, and the Netherlands in the knockout stages, they only managed to score one goal in each match.
Although it seemed economical and practical, their lack of attacking prowess was evident.
Although each of these midfield maestros has the ability to score, their shooting skills are not top-notch, lagging behind genuine strikers.
Thus, it was common to see them wasting scoring opportunities in matches.
If Messi had chosen to join the Spanish national team, a team built around Barcelona's core, it would have been a tailor-made setup for him.
Such a Spanish team would be terrifying on the world stage, a thought that is unimaginable!
Unfortunately, Messi is unique, and he chose to join the Argentine national team.
"There's no easy solution. Even with such a strong midfield in the national team, it's still challenging to score, right? Our problem is similar to the national team, but the players' abilities differ too much, making scoring even more difficult."
The coaches furrowed their brows, concerned about the issues arising in the youth team. If the midfield maestros of the first team retire, it would be difficult for the current midfield players in the club's youth system to step up and replace them.
By then, would Barcelona be able to continue executing the possession-based tactics?
This crisis was, in fact, more severe than the current issues faced by the youth team since the first team's performance is crucial for the survival of the entire club.
Fortunately, they had one prospect in their hands, Luis.
Luis already had considerable talent, and his performance in this match won unanimous recognition from the coaching staff members.
Although his position in today's match was somewhat unusual, not quite a defensive midfielder but more like an attacking midfielder.
However, his outstanding performance in this match made the coaches overlook this issue subconsciously.
Moreover, the positions of young players on the field are not fixed.
The team's training is also aimed at finding the most suitable positions for them to fully develop their potential.
So the coaches not only didn't criticize Luis but also instructed the defensive players of the main team to be cautious in their tackles, ensuring they wouldn't injure him.
He was a gem of the youth training team and had to be protected well, without any problems.
The midfield banner of Barcelona awaits him to take over!
Meanwhile, in the head coach's office of the youth team, Enrique pulled out a stack of loan application forms from a drawer.
He searched for suitable loan destinations among them.
Barcelona is currently a highly sought-after powerhouse club in the football world, and La Masia Youth Academy is full of talents.
Therefore, many teams, especially smaller clubs that are financially constrained and unable to make signings, like to loan players from Barcelona.
Spanish players are renowned for their finesse and production of midfielders.
Fortunately, Barcelona has a rich reservoir of midfield players, and many youth team midfielders cannot establish themselves in the first team, thus needing loans to gain experience.
Once the loan period expires and if Barcelona still doesn't have a suitable position for them, most likely, they would choose to transfer elsewhere.
And when they transfer, the teams that loaned them naturally become their top choices.
After all, they have already adapted and integrated into the team's tactical system during the loan period.
If they were to transfer to another team, it would likely require a long adaptation period.
For young players, if they fail to deliver satisfactory performances within their limited playing time, they might lose the trust of the head coach and end up being sidelined.
After all, the professional football arena is extremely ruthless.
Those who are capable rise to the top, while the mediocre fall. If given an opportunity that they fail to seize, they will inevitably face consequences.
Enrique had such calculations in mind. He planned to loan Luis to a team in a league not lower in level, a team with limited strength but a strong desire for results.
Such teams have little patience for young players. If Luis doesn't perform well in the matches he plays, the opposing team's head coach is likely to lose patience after two or three games.
In that case, Luis might end up sitting on the bench for a year in that team. Even with some talent, it would likely go to waste.
Moreover, if he fails to demonstrate any remarkable performances during that year, Barcelona would have sufficient reasons to reject renewing his contract.
In this way, the task entrusted to him by President Rosell would be fulfilled.
Based on his requirements, he excluded teams outside the top five leagues.
The strength of those teams' leagues is too weak, and the players from Barcelona's youth teams can easily secure starting positions.
On the other hand, the top five leagues have a much higher level. Even players from La Masia Youth Academy cannot become starters at his age.
Among the top five leagues, it was evident that teams from La Liga submitted the most loan applications to Barcelona.
However, Enrique didn't plan to loan Luis to another team in La Liga because those teams would face Barcelona at least twice a year.
When these teams face Barcelona, the media would naturally bring up the loaned players from Barcelona, which would increase Luis's presence in the hearts of Barcelona fans, making it difficult to downplay his importance.
So he initially ruled out La Liga.
English Premier League teams would have been excellent options since the physicality and intensity of their games are high.
However, young players, especially Spanish ones, have a mysterious resistance to playing in England.
The cold weather of the British Isles, intense physical battles, rough fouls, and lenient refereeing standards are not conducive to Spanish players who excel in technical play.
Therefore, Luis is likely to reject a loan move to the Premier League.
Finally, after considering various factors, Enrique found the league he considered most suitable, and a team had submitted an application in that league.
In that case, it's you—SV Werder Bremen!