FC Barcelona's pre-season training for the 2006-07 campaign has started today with the obligatory medical check-up. Barca coach Frank Rijkaard will have only 11 first team players available but the Dutch manager's faith in the youth team structure at the club has once again been made evident by his decision to use 4 members of the reserve team Barca B for the training sessions and early games both in Barcelona and Aarhus (Denmark).
After their holidays, the players that did not play in the World Cup in Germany and new signing Eirdur Gudjohnsen from Chelsea are expected at La Masia today to prepare for the new season 2006/2007.
The players that are due to start the pre-season preparation are:
| Víctor Valdés, Juliano Belletti, Thiago Motta, Ludovic Giuly, Santiago Ezquerro, Edmilson, Sylvinho, Oleguer, Albert Jorquera, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Rubén. |
Additionally, youngsters Jesús Olmo, Jordi Gómez and Lluís Sastre are given a chance to convince the coaching staff of their qualities.
Highly rated Marc Valiente will join Barca´s first team squad later, as he has received a call up to the Spain U-19 for the European Championships in Poland.
Barca´s goalgetter Eto'o returns a week later and he will join up with the team in Aarhus, Denmark for the pre-season friendly.
In his three years at FC Barcelona, coach Frank Rijkaard has used 19 youth team players, that made their debut for Barca´s first team. There is no doubt that Frank Rijkaard is interested in promoting young players that have been brought up and developed through the club's own youth departement. FC Barcelona is one of a very small number of top clubs in Europe that put their faith in their own youth. This shows the ambition of the club to give their own youth the chance to appear in the first squad.
Short profile of the young Barca players that are given the chance in pre-season training:
Jesús Olmo, central defender
Born on 24 th January 1985 and joined FC Barcelona from Peña Barcelonista Trinitat Vella. Olmo played 1 match against Atletico Bilbao for the first team and 19 matches for Barca B last season.
Jordi Gómez, central defender
Born on 24th May 1985 and joined Barça in 1996 from UB Catalonia. Jordi Gómez played 36 matches and scored 6 goals for Barca B last season. He played for Barca in the Copa del Rey at the Camp Nou against Zamora on January, 11.
Marc Valiente, central defender
Born on 29th March 1987 in Granollers and joined FC Barcelona in 1997. Marc Valiente played 27 matches and scored twice in his first season for Barca B. He was part of the youth team that won three trophies two years ago and also represents Spain at the U19 European Championship.
Lluis Sastre, central midfielder
Born on 26th March 1986 and joined Barca in 1998-99 from Real Mallorca. Lluis Sastre appeared in 7 league matches for Barca B last season.
Related Article: Barcelona´s coach Rijkaard believes in youngster Valiente
