Barcelona beat Manchester United and Manchester City to the £23 million signing of Alexis Sanchez this summer – but did they really need him with young Isaac Cuenca on their books?
Xavi, Iniesta, Pique, Fabregas, Pedro, Thiago… the Barcelona production line has produced some gems in recent years, so what’s to know about their latest star, Cuenca?
1) Cuenca is a 20-year-old winger who first joined Barcelona’s ‘La Masia’ academy at the age of 12, this is his first full season at the club.
2) He has played seven times so far this season, including twice in Europe, scoring two goals in La Liga.
3) Both of his goals came in 5-0 wins for the club, in October at home to Mallorca, and on Saturday at home to Levante.
4) He can play on the left or right side of the central striker, owing his current opportunities to injuries to wingers Afellay, Pedro, and Sanchez earlier in the season, and is presently seizing it with both feet. So much so that he could even be in line for an El Clasico appearance against Madrid on Saturday night.
5) He nearly didn’t make it at all at Barca, he had to be re-signed into their youth setup at 17 after firstly being cast adrift for being too thin and weak, then he was twice sent out on loan and only this season has he convinced Guardiola that he deserves to feature in the first team.
– Do you think Cuenca can make it at Barcelona long-term?
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