Sergi Samper's Smooth Showing Against LA Signals He's Ready for Barcelona Action

Sergi Samper has "enjoyed" many comparisons over the past few years. Some label him the next Pep Guardiola, others the next Sergio Busquets. Andrea Pirlo and Xavi Hernandez are also mentioned frequently when he is discussed.

The truth is his game draws from elements of each of these players, but he is his own man. And that may be made evident sooner rather than later.

Luis Enrique handed him his Barcelona debut last season, in the Champions League no less, and he played well against Apoel Nicosia. But it is during this campaign that he really has a chance to make an impact at the club.

With Xavi leaving Barcelona, there is a space in midfield for a new addition, even if Rafinha Alcantara will be looking to snap up that valuable game time.

Brought on at half-time in Barcelona's first International Champions Cup match against LA Galaxy, Samper was calm, assured and classy. 

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His positioning was exquisite, always knowing where the centre-backs behind him were, how deep he should go and when he should move forward. He is patient on the ball, with extremely accurate passing, whether that's a simple five-yard ball or a long, pinged strike out to the wings or for forwards to run on to.

He helps transition play from the back to the front, but not like Ivan Rakitic, who is all running—Samper makes the ball do the legwork.

Samper is consistent and reliable. You don't wonder what's going to happen when he receives the ball, you already know. You don't know where it will go, but you know that it will go and that it will arrive safely.

Like Busquets, his close control and footwork are strong, too. The older player has made a habit out of the drag-back, often getting himself out of trouble and into fresh space. Samper has similar skills to free himself from tight spots.

Wherever he receives the ball, it doesn't seem to be a problem. At one point against LA Galaxy, he took the ball in his own area, under pressure, but still worked it out cleanly with little fuss.

Unlike Busquets, he has a smaller frame and a lower centre of gravity, which helps him to dribble well, too.

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It isn't unusual to see him move out to wider positions on the pitch when required to during plays, looking equally comfortable there as in the middle, still with the same awareness of his team-mates' positioning.

That's something a bit different from what Busquets can offer, though Samper has also been studying the current Barcelona star's game.

The way he picks the perfect moment to dispossess opponents and start new attacks is reminiscent of Busquets.

The 20-year-old has a contract at Barcelona until 2017 and an £8.5 million buyout clause, which Arsenal want to exploit, per Pete Jenson of the MailOnline.

But while the English side could easily stump up the cash for Samper, the player would most likely snub their advances.

He recently said, per Sport, that he would like to stay at the Camp Nou for the rest of his career, and that he would try and play his way into the first team while on tour.

"

Barcelona are the club of my life and if I can, I would like to stay here forever.

...

I know that it will be difficult, but I will try to do my best in preseason. I'm excited and really motivated to prove that I am ready, that I am prepared. I have the best players in my position, but I am prepared.

"

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Brought into the club's school at the age of six, Samper has Barcelona blood running through his veins and has captained the side at every level, bar the first team.

Too much is often made of young players, with a small percentage of them reaching the top level and a still smaller percentage of that batch ever becoming world-class.

But few who have watched Samper doubt he will be able to establish himself at an elite club like Barcelona.

The question is, with Xavi gone, will he seize the opportunity in front of him this season?

Will Samper shine in training and in the pre-season matches brightly enough for Luis Enrique to consider it foolish to leave him out of the squad?

Barcelona B were relegated to Spain's third division last season, and Samper lost his form and confidence. This tour is a chance for him to build both of those back up, and he's started going about it the right way.