La Masia: The Youth System That's Changing Club Football

On the 28th of April, 2010, Bojan Krkic set the Camp Nou alive.

The La Masia product scored in the 92nd minute of the second leg against Inter Milan. He did what Andres Iniesta had done the season before at Stamford Bridge. Déjà vu could not be sweeter for any Cule.

Barcelona were heading to the Santiago Bernabeu for the 2009-2010 UEFA Champions League final on the away goal rule. He was the hero as Barca went on to defend their European title.

Oh how things could have been. 

Inter Milan would go onto win the European treble under Jose Mourinho in what would truly be a Special performance. FC Barcelona may have only defended one of their treble winning trophies in the 2009-10 season but they never lost track of the ball (no pun intended).

Pep's Dream Team however would continue to dazzle us week in week out. It was a team he took which became Spanish, European and subsequently World Champions. Though some players may come and go the core of the team remains constant.

We all have fallen in love with the brand of football they deliver. They're the best, they're amazing, they're not human.

They're in debt.

Despite the wealth of free talent La Masia has to offer the Catalans, they are in debt.

Nothing in football lasts forever and such is the case of the general Xavi Hernandez. He's in his 30's and the years the club have with him are continuing to lessen.

Cesc Fabregas will eventually find himself back home in Catalonia. Even the number 4 jersey he dons at Arsenal is waiting for him at the Camp Nou. But he would come with a hefty price tag around the $40 million range.

Do Barcelona REALLY need him?

Fabregas has proven himself at such a young age and is worth the hype. We have seen the Spanish national team field Fabregas alongside Xavi and Iniesta. But where would he find himself in Pep's already smooth running machine?

There is no doubt he would quickly settle into the fast paced dazzling technique of the Blaugrana just as David Villa has done. But where would he fit?

Xavi is without a doubt the best central midfielder in recent years. Cesc is still young and his addition would surely add to the depth of the midfield. But what about the cantera?

Sergio Busquets is rising from strength to strength and there are already hushed tones of him being the "future Xavi." Don't forget young Thiago Alcantara. Speed, flair of Ronaldinho and the passing vision of good old Xavi himself. It seems the youth system struck pure gold with him. Both would definitely not put a strain on the club's budget.

The list can go on and on with players that in subsequent years could/would be promoted to the first team. 

The point is the quantity of the quality the youth system has to offer to the first team. Fabregas was once a member of this said system who left for the Premiership to make a name for himself. He did just that and now he is wanted yet again at home. 

Who knows who the future Cesc Fabregas could be. The whole of Europe has La Masia under intense gaze looking for future gems that could one day be added to their respective teams. 

Note that credit is given to Arsenal for developing him into the lucrative target he is today but should the club look abroad for reinforcements when their backyard seems to be brimming with it?

Personally no. If the question of experience comes into play, Busquets is only 22 and has practically won it all. La Masia can deliver results as we have seen in today's Champions League fixture against Rubin Kazan.

La Masia is without a doubt one of if not the greatest youth systems any football club has ever had. Case and point being this years Balon d'Or nominees. 

Come the winter or next year's summer transfer window we will ritually be blessed with the Cesc Fabregas saga yet again. If and when he arrives only time can tell what his eventual contribution would be in a Blaugrana shirt.