Gavi’s first game for Spain since his recovery, and he proved exactly why he’s being selected for the World Cup squad. This isn’t Luis de la Fuente playing favorites, it’s about having a player he knows he can fully trust and count on, someone who can make a real difference for the team.
6 successful dribbles, 6 recoveries, and 10 ground duels won. Beyond the stats, this is a guy who guarantees tenacity, energy, and possession stability while also being so technically exceptional. Some Spanish fans need to put their hatred aside and realize just how lucky they are to have a warrior like him on their side.
A disappointing way to end the tournament, but make no mistake. Ebrima Tunkara was easily the best player on the pitch today yet again.
This was a really complete game from him. Turning away from defenders with ease and hitting perfectly weighted long balls. Everyone looked to him to change the game the whole time.
This boy is not just blessed physically, his perception of the game is just as impressive. His instincts to know precisely when to dribble, when to lay off a pass, and when to try the unthinkable. He just understands how to play the game of football. So freaking special.
📷:castillafoto
As for Guille Fernández, I’m sure a player like him won’t lack suitors in the market, whether on a permanent or loan basis. Ideally, I’d love to see him move to the Bundesliga or even the Premier League for his development. The verticality and transitional football could simplify his game and maximize his strengths.
This kid has so many weapons in his arsenal, and he’s well aware of his abilities to impact the game in any way possible. But the question now lies in how to utilize those weapons in order for him to consistently leave his footprint on the game.
There are things to work on and refine in his game, like his decision-making in possession and his finishing. His potential is glaring, so don’t let the other upcoming youngsters make you forget how special a talent Guillermo can become.
Because if he taps into his full potential, we’ll be witnessing an all-phase monster right in front of our eyes.
I know Como have other targets in mind. But if Nico Paz leaves as expected, Toni Fernández could actually be a really interesting option for Cesc Fàbregas.
Toni’s profile fits well in Nico Paz’s role. He’s at his best operating in the half-space and between the lines. Lethal in front of goal, creative in the final third, and incisive when receiving in the pockets.
I understand his athleticism would raise questions about his limits as a volume and long-distance ball carrier, and as a duel winner. However, I’m convinced Como and Serie A would be a great fit for Toni, given how technical and tactically intelligent a player he is.
Moreover, with Como’s qualification for the Champions League, they’ll also need extra depth for the additional fixtures. All in all, I believe Toni would be an intriguing reinforcement who can thrive in Cesc’s setup.
Really decent game from Ebrima Tunkara. He came alive in the second half, delivering a beautiful chipped assist over the goalkeeper.
His weight of pass and ball control are still a work in progress, but you could clearly see what a menacing player he is every time he touched the ball.
Teams have started to clock how physically superior he is, and they are now roughing him up in games. The opposition are purposely fouling and kicking him, limiting his influence in every possible way.
I expect Ebrima to get targeted like this for the rest of the tournament, and we’ll see how he responds to the extra physicality opponents are putting on him.
Awesome to see Bernal being part of the national team training camp. It’s a brilliant way for him to get a feel for the NT squad dynamic. But more importantly, this is the golden opportunity for him to just be a sponge and absorb as many things as possible next to someone like Rodri.
Just being next to Rodri and watching how he dissects the game and moves his body would already be really beneficial for a raw talent like Bernal.
This was Roony Bardghji’s first year in top European football, and I’m sure it has been an invaluable experience that will benefit his career.
A season full of learning and adapting, yet he still managed to produce moments of brilliance despite his inconsistent playing time.
Barca’s sporting project is clearly going all out, and his playing time will only diminish once the club makes the reinforcements planned for the summer. It’s only logical for Roony Bardghji to seek a new team where he can get regular minutes.
We’ll see whether it’s a loan deal or a permanent sale with a buy-back option. Still, I just love how he didn’t waste any time hesitating and immediately set out to prove himself in a new environment. This is a clear sign of a footballer who’s striving to improve and become better.
Not quite as eye-catching as his last game, but this was still a really good outing from Ebrima Tunkara.
Threatening and decisive as usual, creating numerous chances for the team. He displayed excellent ball manipulation when taking on defenders. There were numerous occasions where he was surrounded by multiple defenders, yet he was still able to absorb the pressure and keep the play going.
However, he does need to be more consistent with his ball control. Some loose first touches here and there, an aspect of his game I expect him to improve and tighten up as he develops.
On the whole, it was another positive performance from the wonder kid.
📷:castillafoto
Ebrima Tunkara vs Belgium U17
1 Assist
10 Ground Duels Won
4 Chances Created
4 Successful Dribbles
3 Passes into final third
4 Accurate crosses
2 Accurate long balls
4 Recoveries
20/29 Accurate passes
Was Fouled 5 times
Looks like Aziz Issah’s chapter with Barca is closing here. A good ending for both parties in my opinion.
Aziz made noticeable progress with Barça Atlètic this year, but he has offers from other European clubs and there’s really no point in him continuing his career in the fourth division. For Barca, Aziz doesn’t seem to have the talent to break into the first team, so this wouldn’t be a tremendous loss.
Still so young and new to European football. His football career has just started, and he needs an environment that will steadily help him grow. Good luck to the kid.
Man among boys. That’s the perfect phrase to describe Ebrima Tunkara when watching him play yesterday.
Not only is he physically overpowering his opponents, but his technical ability and the way he interprets the game just makes him look heads and shoulders above the rest.
It’s borderline unfair for the opposition. His playmaking, dribbling, passing, and creativity are on full display without him breaking a sweat. Beyond that, he also showed real dedication to track back and do the dirty work.
This was way too easy for him. Now let’s see if he can produce the same level of dominance against tougher teams in this tournament.
Can’t wait to see how his game translates to the highest level in pre-season. What a terrifying prodigy.
A huge shoutout to the medical team and the coaching staff for the work they’ve done on Gavi’s strong return since the injury.
It’s also worth pointing out how great Flick’s plan for managing Gavi’s minutes was, even in the final few games of the season.
In normal circumstances, it’s not ideal for coaches to give big-name players heavy minutes after the league race is over. But Gavi was the exception, and Flick made sure he used the last two games as an opportunity to further demonstrate Gavi’s readiness for the World Cup.
Gavi completed a full 90 minutes in the last two games, the first time he’s done so since returning from injury. This was a perfect way to gear him up for the World Cup and show the national team that he’s fully ready to play a full game.
Sad to see a Barca team getting destroyed in a big game because of a red card yet again. Regardless of the result though, one player who deserved a lot of praise is Pedro Rodríguez.
He became more and more aggressive as the game went on, constantly exploiting the empty spaces and splitting the defence apart with his passes. He might have looked a bit too adventurous today spamming those killer balls. But his vision, mindset, and ability to pick and execute the hardest passes are rare qualities few footballers possess. Special special talent.