FCBARCELONA.CAT

11.07.2008 12:15

Seven up from the B team

Jesús Carrillo

Pep Guardiola has called up David Córcoles, Sergio Busquets, Víctor Sánchez, Víctor Vázquez, Pedrito, Jeffren and Abraham to join the first team squad for pre-season training.

The players are all due to report back on Monday to Camp Nou and the new coach has already shown that he is prepared to place his faith in the young players that served him so well last term with Barça B, now renamed Barça Atlètic. Guardiola has called upon seven players to move up and help pad the numbers of the first team as they being preparations for the 2008-09 campaign.

Three with experience

From the players named, three of them have already tasted life at the top with Pedrito, Víctor Vázquez and Víctor Sánchez having been given their first team debuts last season by Frank Rijkaard. The first took part in league games against Murcia and Valladolid, while Vázquez played in the final 13 minutes of the game at Recreativo and Sánchez participated in the final moments of the match at Almería. All seven players were key members of the B team that this year will be coach by Luis Enrique and will play in la Segunda B.

Versatility is key

All of them have shown their ability and versatility during their time at the club. Córcoles, who was signed from Valencia's youth team last year, is a full-back, but can also play in the middle of defence or on the left wing. Sánchez was the wild card in the B team lastv season as he can play virtually anywhere, while Vázquez is a central midfielder that can also play up front. Sergi Busquets has stood out on the flanks in the youth teams, while Pedrito is an out-and-out goalscorer and Abraham is a tireless worker in the middle of the park. Finally Jeffren has the speed and skill to break through opposition defences.