Hansi Flick 'shields' his favorite talent from La Masia

BarcelonaThere isn't a summer in which La Masia doesn't leave a name on the table to consider for the future. This year, Dro Fernández and Jofre Torrents stand out. Hansi Flick knew the potential of the young Barça players long before arriving in Barcelona, and he demonstrated it in his first press conference. "A few days ago, Toni Fernández turned 16, it's incredible. There are some very good 15, 16, 17, and 18-year-old players here. They still need to improve a lot, but they have the foundation, they're incredible," said the coach.

Without asking him for names, he dropped the name Toni Fernández. At that time, the attacker wasn't among the players most likely to reach the Camp Nou in the future, as predicted by La Masia. Although Fermín López was further away than him, almost forced to leave Barcelona. A season after those statements, having just turned 17 and having already made his first-team debut, Toni Fernández was called back to begin preseason training with the first team.

Before the trip to Japan was canceled on Wednesday due to non-payments from the tour promoter, the club had told Toni that a repeat preseason with the first team would be quite likely, giving him the opportunity to earn a place in the squad. However, Hansi Flick had the final say. This time, the difficulty was at its highest, with all the first-team players available and a spot available, apparently initially, on the right wing. It's a position Toni can occupy; he did so last season, but the club knows he's called upon to develop in other areas of the pitch.

The youngsters Hansi Flick is taking on the tour

Finally, Flick is taking him on the tour. The four reserve team outfield players who traveled to Japan are cousins Toni and Guille Fernández, as well as the aforementioned Dro Fernández and Jofre Torrens. Last summer, Toni left one of the highlights of the tour when he coolly took a penalty against Manchester City in the first friendly. That performance was characterized by perseverance. For many months, he worked with the La Masia coaches on the best way to shoot from the penalty spot. In addition, to improve, they also showed him videos of players like Florian Wirtz, signed this summer by Liverpool for €150 million, the third-highest fee in history.

When the match was played, it was early morning in Barcelona, but that didn't stop his family – the same as that of his cousin, also a Barça player, Guille Fernández – from getting together to watch the match against the skyblue. They did it outdoors, taking a television out onto the streets of Zona Franca, the neighborhood where they grew up and where they still live. Both cousins are Roma and "show it proudly," explains a person who knows them well.

Although he spent the first part of last season with Flick, he soon moved under Albert Sánchez's command in the reserve team. At that time, the club had already renewed Toni's contract until 2027, although he is expected to sign a new contract before reaching the age of majority. Given the interest from several European clubs, Barça designed a roadmap for him for the future. The Blaugrana will have to decide whether to tweak him in the coming weeks, as the Second Federation is too short for him. The player wants to use the preseason to secure a place.

With Hansi Flick looking for a winger for the tour, many considered Toni among the candidates. Except for the final stretch of the season, with Sergi Milà as an emergency coach, he played on the right wing. But many agree that his potential is best realized as a playmaker, in the position occupied by Dani Olmo, Fermín López, and even Gavi. He can also play as a false nine.

"He's a tireless worker. He also puts in a lot of effort in defense. He often stayed after training practicing aspects of the game we suggested to him. He's very talented, and that's why we pushed him to the limit. We challenged him. We told him he could do things better, but that he could still do them. We were annoying," recalls those at the Barça training center.

This summer, Toni has dedicated himself to gaining weight and preparing himself even more for professional football. "He takes great care of himself, grills his food, drinks only water, and goes to bed early. His family is aware of his potential and helps him in every way they can," explains those close to him. He's also expected to gain a few more inches. At 17, his body is still developing. His talent is also still developing. Flick wants to keep him close.