Guest Marshall-Baines Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 CRACKING read in The Sun today about Barcelona's youth system. Would take us 20 years to have this level of infrastructure imo, to think just 10 years ago we were training on a public field full of dog shite in Chester Le Street, compared to this. Have a read. Looks amazing that villa. BARCELONA'S superstar factory has a production line that is the envy of the world.And SunSport has been granted unprecedented access as the Catalan giants opened their doors to showcase football's most successful youth system. Boss Pep Guardiola's side have been dubbed 'the best team of all time' for their epic success in the last three years. CARD SHARP ... young Valdes Leo Messi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Victor Valdes, Pedro, Xavi, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Bojan Krkic and Jeffren all came through Barca's youth set-up. The 10 of them will be in the squad for next Wednesday's Champions League showdown at Arsenal - and eight will start. Each is a product of what Barca call 'futbol base'. Today, it numbers 330 kids and hundreds of employees, costing the club upwards of £10million a year. Central to that is La Masia, the 'chalet' adjacent to the Nou Camp stadium where 60 top talents - those whose families live in remote parts of Spain or abroad - reside in the hope of making the first team. An inauspicious, two-storey building, it has one dining room, six bedrooms, a library, a computer room and a recreation room. Just 12 of the kids sleep in the building. The rest have dormitories in the first floor of the stadium, a mere 30 yards away. Messi, Iniesta, Puyol, Valdes and Pedro lived at La Masia for years. Krkic and Jeffren were also residents, while Xavi went there for meals, so the club could monitor his diet. Pique and Busquets lived with their families elsewhere in the city. Guardiola spent years at La Masia as well in the 1980s before becoming a legend as a player. So did his No 2, Tito Vilanova, and the man who today heads the youth set-up, Guillermo Amor - another former Spain international. All three were in the same class of 1986-87 and today this trio runs every aspect of the club from the footballing side. BRIGHT SPARKS ... Barca's kids live and breath the club A quarter of a century on, they ensure the continuity in a philosophy of excellence, both sporting and human, that has been established within the Spanish giants. Other one-time La Masia residents include Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas, Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina, Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta and Atletico Madrid's ex-Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida. The list is endless. Even Nayim, the former Tottenham midfielder most famous for a 45-yard Euro strike against Arsenal in 1995 while with Real Zaragoza, came through the Barca ranks. Albert Folguera, the head of La Masia, outlined the club's approach. He said: "It's a system of director, teachers, a doctor, a psychologist, cooks and other workers. There are three teachers, who work in the evening with the children. "There's also a chief of studies and another administrative person who manages all the purchases, tickets and all the kinds of thing the children need for their recreation and studies. We also have three cooks and six kitchen staff." Current maestros like Xavi and Iniesta always rave about their La Masia years. Folguera added: "Xavi speaks about values we instil here - sharing things, camaraderie, friendship, laughter. You can't learn that, you live it. "Do we have problems of adaptation with some kids? Obviously. They come here aged 12 and are away from their families. It's difficult but it's part of the process. CLASS ACT ... next stars listen up "For Iniesta, the first months were a real struggle. He missed his family, 700km away in Albacete, terribly. "Leo Messi also. His mother and brother were in Argentina. He was only 12, had growth problems and couldn't play official matches for a year because of a documentation problem. It was soul-destroying for him. "Victor Valdes had to go home after a season. He missed his family so much. "Here, we manage emotions. To be made to feel at home and to be among so many people makes the children not feel isolated. "It's more like a family. The doctor, the psychologists, the teachers and, at times, the coaches come here to eat, so the kids feel more supported. "All the current stars who suffered away from their loved ones became great champions. They had the character and guts to overcome the difficulties." Surprisingly, most of the day is spent on school studies. Only two hours are devoted to training in the evening - and 'always with the ball'. Folguera declared: "This is the best time for La Masia since it was created in 1979 and also in Barca's history. "The three men responsible for every aspect of FC Barcelona grew up in this home. The first team has 10 players from the academy, the majority of them from La Masia. "In Barcelona B, the reserves, 12 players go to university." Outside the windows, the only thing the talented interns can see during their long hours of study and additional home teaching, all paid for by the club, is the Nou Camp. A dream within touching distance and yet so far. Only a fraction make it to the very top but they prepare the kids to be well rounded, well educated individuals first and athletes second. Advertisement Their education will allow them to make it in other areas if, in the end, their talent is not enough or an injury prevents them from realising their ambition. All under the watchful eye of Guardiola. Folguera said: "I speak with Amor once a week and he informs Guardiola. Pep was here 10 days ago and we had a chat about everything. He does that a few times a year. "Since Pep has been the coach, more 17 to 18-year-olds have trained with the first team than in the entire 32-year history of La Masia. He is the first to correct them and advise them. "The first thing Guardiola, their youth coach and I tell them when they come back is, 'Listen. Now when you return to the youth team you have to be the one who works harder than anyone else. Don't get carried away'." Competition is fierce and, once deemed good enough to enter the youth set-up, some pushy parents become desperate for their offspring to continue right to the top. That is why the club has banned mums and dads from training. Folguera concluded: "La Masia is about education at all times - in the dining room, at training, in the home teaching classes. "We tell parents, 'What we will value in your son is character, humility, hard work and discipline. But we also want him to have fun on the pitch, to have creativity and freedom of spirit. "If you transmit that to your kid, and I transmit the same values too, that is what your son will grow up to be like. "Xavi comes here all the time to talk, listen and advise the youngsters. Andres comes when the kids are away at school and brings boots and all kinds of equipment. They all do. They still feel part of the family. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport...ar-factory.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitman 2207 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 10m a year is very good value. Not that we could match that level of investment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Marshall-Baines Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 10m a year is very good value. Not that we could match that level of investment. Why not? Absolutely no excuse in my opinion. Next season outwith transfers, due to the new wage structure the club will make a significant profit, as much as £10m, as we have done in the past, without wanting a FFS wankfest, one year we made £24m profit. There's nee reason at all why we can't match that long term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Marshall-Baines Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 It's not like we've got demanding share holders demanding dividends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitman 2207 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 10m a year is very good value. Not that we could match that level of investment. Why not? Absolutely no excuse in my opinion. Next season outwith transfers, due to the new wage structure the club will make a significant profit, as much as £10m, as we have done in the past, without wanting a FFS wankfest, one year we made £24m profit. There's nee reason at all why we can't match that long term. Simply because there's no immediate pay off. So you'd have to spend 10 mill a year for god knows how long to get any kind of return. There's zero chance of Ashley going for that. I expect we don't even spend money on decent scouts, just Graham Carr on a super saver train ticket looking for gems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Good read that. One of the things that is so good about the way they do things is how they prepare the kids for life after football, knowing most of them won't make the grade, rather than just spitting them out when they're finished with them, like we do here. Also, SJH banged on about his dream of playing 11 Geordies but the previous board never really made any tangible moves towards realising that dream until recently with the new academy etc. Even then it's not even close to the Barca set up. We should've taken advantage of the KK years to get that right. I know KK wasn't concerned with matters beyond the first team, which was arguably a fault of his but the people running the club should've taken on the responsibility. A massive opportunity missed imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey 0 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/fe...spain-interview An even better article there in The Guardian yesterday... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 10m a year is very good value. Not that we could match that level of investment. Why not? Absolutely no excuse in my opinion. Next season outwith transfers, due to the new wage structure the club will make a significant profit, as much as £10m, as we have done in the past, without wanting a FFS wankfest, one year we made £24m profit. There's nee reason at all why we can't match that long term. Simply because there's no immediate pay off. So you'd have to spend 10 mill a year for god knows how long to get any kind of return. There's zero chance of Ashley going for that. I expect we don't even spend money on decent scouts, just Graham Carr on a super saver train ticket looking for gems. That sort of figure is something you could build up to over a period of time though. Although you're talking about 30-odd % of what Alan Smith earns in a year going into Barca's academy to put the figure into context. I take your point though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asprilla 96 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 It's not rocket science. Good luck to Barcelona, they do almost everything right. In fact I can't think of anything they don't do right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac-Toon 1 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Great read that was. They're more than just a football club. They're an institution for nurturing potential. There's no reason why £10m a year couldn't be invested at our club, given the income generated through us fans and abit of outlay from the owner. The only problem being, it's a long process before any success could be seen so it's a guaranteed non starter in England. I know their B team play in the Championship equivalent and are shit hot aswell. We should be sniffing around there youth players or cast offs as they'll have the drive and upbringing that your Nile Rangers and Shane Fergusons could only dream of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/fe...spain-interview An even better article there in The Guardian yesterday... Nice one, cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 7170 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Playing devils advocate, taking 12 year old kids off their parents and moving them 500 miles away for the sake of football? If they came asking for my kid at that age they would get told to fuck off. 330 kids there, 10 of them have made it into the first team squad in the last half decade. What happens to the rest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 31203 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I think you've missed the point somewhat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 7170 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I don't think I have. It's shocking that football clubs poach kids at a young age and pretty much steal their childhood off them. Just because Barcelona have a slightly more efficient kiddy factory set up with a nice villa doesn't make it any better imo. For every Messi there are 1000 other kids who move back home having missed a kiss and a cuddle goodnight for god knows how long because they might have made Barca a pretty penny a few years down the line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Pure speculation but I'd guess the kids who went (even the ones who didn't make it) would, on the whole, be happier they had the experience and chased their dream than the kids whose parents put the block on it. I'd also guess Iniesta is an extreme example in terms of living that far away from home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 31203 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 (edited) I don't think I have. It's shocking that football clubs poach kids at a young age and pretty much steal their childhood off them. Just because Barcelona have a slightly more efficient kiddy factory set up with a nice villa doesn't make it any better imo. For every Messi there are 1000 other kids who move back home having missed a kiss and a cuddle goodnight for god knows how long because they might have made Barca a pretty penny a few years down the line Yes but even the ones who don't make it will have benefited from a better education and upbringing than they may have done otherwise. It seems like the idea is to prepare them for life outside of football as much as it is to improve them as players. Better than being sent to a boarding school anyway. Edited February 11, 2011 by ewerk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 7170 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Would you send your kid? I may be in the minority here but there is more to life than money and fame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 7170 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I don't think I have. It's shocking that football clubs poach kids at a young age and pretty much steal their childhood off them. Just because Barcelona have a slightly more efficient kiddy factory set up with a nice villa doesn't make it any better imo. For every Messi there are 1000 other kids who move back home having missed a kiss and a cuddle goodnight for god knows how long because they might have made Barca a pretty penny a few years down the line Yes but even the ones who don't make it will have benefited from a better education and upbringing than they may have done otherwise. It seems like the idea is to prepare them for life outside of football as much as it is to improve them as players. Better than being sent to a boarding school anyway. Since when was Spain a 3rd world country There's plenty of Spanish kids turn out to be doctors, lawyers and have perfectly good upbringings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChezGiven 0 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 How many 14 year old boys need to be kissed and cuddled before they go to bed though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Would you send your kid? I may be in the minority here but there is more to life than money and fame. Depends really. If they were about 12-13 and really wanted to go I certainly wouldn't stand in the way of an opportunity like that. Likewise, I wouldn't pressure them into it if they didn't want to go. Not saying it would be easy to let them go. Unless they turn out like you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Marshall-Baines Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 (edited) Pure speculation but I'd guess the kids who went (even the ones who didn't make it) would, on the whole, be happier they had the experience and chased their dream than the kids whose parents put the block on it. I'd also guess Iniesta is an extreme example in terms of living that far away from home. I would've resented them for the rest of my life. Most these kids like me at that age and I'm sure a lot of you, ate, slept, and breathed football, the biggest club in the world want to better you, and educate you academically with a view to making you a professional footballer and their parents are wrong for letting them go Fuck me. Would you send your kid? I may be in the minority here but there is more to life than money and fame. I would never have forgiven them, in fact I would've ran away from home, you think am kidding I fucking would. All it would be would be like an incredibly interesting fun boarding school where you do what you enjoy every day of your life. Edited February 11, 2011 by Marshall-Baines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob toonpants 4134 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Would you send your kid? I may be in the minority here but there is more to life than money and fame. They are going primarily for the football, not the money or fame. If my boy was good enough I would send him in a heartbeat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 7170 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 (edited) I'll save this thread and ask you again the day your first kid is born Stevie Edited February 11, 2011 by J69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob toonpants 4134 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 If you had kids you would realise you are desperate to get shot of the little parasites by the time they are 12 anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChezGiven 0 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 If you had kids you would realise you are desperate to get shot of the little parasites by the time they are 12 anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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