Toni Fernandez is Knocking on the First Team Door | OneFootball

A year ago, Toni Fernández was playing with the U-18s as a 15-year-old. He was getting a spot on the bench in the UEFA Youth League and was seen as a player with high potential. Now, he is the fourth youngest player to debut for the club and has been named to the squad for the Spanish Super Cup. Only Lamine Yamal, Armand Martínez Sagi, and Paulino Alcántara were younger when they debuted, with Alcántara beating Fernández by just 10 days and more than 100 years.

Culers may have been introduced to him during the preseason tour, when he gave fans something to talk about with quality minutes against Manchester City. Unfortunately the hype train had to make a few stops before his first team debut, as injuries derailed much of his season so far. Yet, in five appearances with Barça Atlétic, alongside his cousin Guille Fernández, he’s scored twice and provided an assist in just 280 minutes. One of those goals was this golazo.

La Masia watchers will have known both Toni and Guille since they arrived from Espanyol in 2018. Prior to Barcelona’s city rival, Toni played for CF Juventud 25 de Septiembre, a local club in his hometown of Rubí, which is just 25 minutes northwest of the Camp Nou. Like many of the best La Masia prospects, both cousins regularly skipped levels in the academy, with Toni jumping the U-16 level altogether.

His cousin Guille was talked about more in some circles last season because of his physicality that looks more prepared for top flight football. That has been evidenced by his starting spot with Barça Atlétic this season, always in the middle of the field. Toni, meanwhile, is a different type of player with a slighter frame and more questions about his long-term “best” position. In the academy he has played as a centre-forward, an attacking midfielder, and a right winger, using his talented left foot to cause havoc in every spot. Two seasons ago, playing with the U-15s, he scored 29 goals and snagged 9 assists, showcasing that his massive skills in the build-up phases can translate to end product.

The only question that remains – does Hansi Flick see that translated to the first team now? It’s something to ponder and was discussed on the recent episode of the podcast breaking down over 40 La Masia talents.