The Barça Academy sporting director Sergi Barjuan has visited two of the academies that FC Barcelona has in the USA. First on the list was the Barça Academy Pro New York, followed by a trip to the Academy in Columbus, Ohio to see how the young players following the Barça methodology are developing.
In New York Barjuan watched various teams in training and chatted to players and their families about their development as well as answering any questions the youngsters had. Furthermore, the former Barça player brought his own coaching and playing experience to the sessions.
The sporting director also watched matches and cast his eye over the teams’ style of play, sharing his insight with the coaching staff at the Barça Academy in New York.
The coaches also had the chance to have a round table discussion with Sergi Barjuan to touch on topics such as bring the ball out, making use of the extra man and finding the free man in attack. The Barça coach in New York were delighted with the chance to add to their knowledge which they will be able to apply on the training pitch.
Columbus, second destination
In Ohio, Sergi Barjuan visited the facilities at Seldom Seen Park where the Barça Academy Columbus is based. The sporting director gave a detailed explanation of the Barça methodology to the coaching staff as well as highlighting the importance of values about results and the basis for the Barça Academies on a global level, paying special attention to the development of the youngster not just as footballers but also as people.
During two days of trials at the Barça Academy Columbus, the aspiring players were evaluated in terms of pace, technical ability and decision making out there on the field to see their maturity as footballers. The former Barça player and now sporting director of Barça Academy donned his boots to get involved on the pitch himself with the youngsters.
Appraisals were made not just of players but of assistant coaches as well ahead of next season. The staff analysed their footballing knowledge, their verbal and non-verbal communication during training sessions and their management of the group as well as their ability to deal with various situations on the training pitch.
