Barça Takes Cautious Steps with Darvich: Nurturing Young Talent for the Future

Despite facing a string of midfield injuries in the first team, FC Barcelona is proceeding cautiously with the development of young German talent Noah Darvich. The club draws parallels between Darvich’s case and that of Ronald Araujo, who spent two seasons with the reserve team before establishing himself in the first team.

The extensive list of midfield absences, including the long-term injuries of Gavi and recent setbacks for De Jong and Pedri, has opened the door for players from Barça Atlètic. Marc Casadó and Pau Prim, regulars in first-team training sessions, are strong contenders for inclusion in the lineup for the upcoming match against Mallorca.

Another player in contention for a call-up is Noah Darvich, who stood out in the recent Barça Atlètic game against Real Unión. While accustomed to playing in the attacking midfield role, Darvich is adapting well to the dynamics of Rafa Márquez’s 4-3-3 system.

However, the club is exercising caution with the young German talent. Noah Darvich, captain of the U-17 World Cup-winning team, joined Barcelona just a few months ago from Freiburg, in a transfer deal worth €2.5 million.

His trajectory could follow a path similar to that of Ronald Araujo, the Uruguayan center-back who arrived in 2018. After a season of adaptation with the reserve team, Araujo earned his debut with the first team in October 2019. The club is adopting a “a poc a poc i amb bona lletra” (step by step and with good letter) approach for players with potential, allowing them to gradually assimilate the Barça style.

Darvich, despite having less than twenty appearances with the reserve team, has occasionally joined first-team training sessions under Xavi’s call. However, the focus for this phase of the season remains on his development under the guidance of Rafa Márquez at Barça Atlètic.