Isaac Cuenca became the 18th player from the Club’s academy to make his debut with the first team since Pep Guardiola took over. Busquets, Thiago and Fontàs are currently the three most successful.
The 18 who have made their debuts
JUGADOR
|
TEMP.
|
COMP.
|
Sergio B. |
08/09 |
League |
Thiago |
08/09 |
League |
Xavi Torres |
08/09 |
League |
Muniesa |
08/09 |
League |
Botía |
08/09 |
League |
Abraham |
08/09 |
Cup |
Fontàs |
09/10 |
League |
Dos Santos |
09/10 |
Cup |
Gai |
09/10 |
Cup |
J. Soriano |
09/10 |
Cup |
Bartra |
09/10 |
League |
O. Romeu |
10/11 |
Supercup |
S. Gómez |
10/11 |
Supercup |
Miño |
10/11 |
Supercup |
Nolito |
10/11 |
League |
Montoya |
10/11 |
League |
S. Roberto |
10/11 |
Cup |
I. Cuenca |
11/12 |
Champions |
Between Sergio Busquets’ debut in the second week of the 2008/09 season and
Isaac Cuenca’s appearance on Wednesday night ,
Pep Guardiola has given 16 other home grown players their chance in the first
team. Some have stayed with the first team, some are still in the reserves and others have moved on
to pursue their careers at other clubs.
Three in the first team squad
Sergio Busquets was the first home grown player to make his debut with Guardiola,
on
September 13th 2008 and he has since gone on to make his name as one of the best
midfielders in the game.
Thiago Alcántara made his debut in the same season and his progress has continued
to the point where this season he officially became a first team squad member, alongside
Andreu Fontàs, who was handed his place last season.
Nine still left in the B team
Pep Guardiola regularly calls up B team players for training with the
first team squad and he’s also given plenty of them the chance to prove themselves by handing
them their debuts. Isaac Cuenca was the latest in a list of players who are still with the B team
and have played for the first team -
Muniesa, Dos Santos, Bartra, Soriano, Sergi Roberto, Montoya, Miño and Sergi
Gómez.
Six have left
Six of the players who made their debuts have moved on to other clubs -
Botía (Sporting),
Abraham (Alcorcón),
Xavi Torres (Llevant),
Gai (Manchester City),
Nolito (Benfica) and
Oriol Romeu (Chelsea). Oriol Romeu made his debut in the Champions League game
against Genk on Wednesday night.