Gerard Deulofeu - the next Messi? (Video)

It seems bizarre to be proclaiming someone as the next Messi having for years always defined players as the next Maradona or Pele, though that is testament to the Barcelona man’s unbelievable ability. However, at Camp Nou there is much excitement brewing over one Gerard Deulofeu with talk of him perhaps going on to better Messi’s extraordinary achievements.

Coming from Barca’s fabled La Masia academy, the video below showcases just a snippet of how good the 18 year old Spaniard really is. Besides his exquisite technique, ability to wreck havoc with his dribbling ability and awareness of the game around him, it’s his movement coming in from the flanks that simply screams Messi.

Spanish football observers have been speaking of Deulofeu’s talents for some time now and he has already been fast tracked into the Spanish Under-21 side with two appearances that have already yielded a goal.

Indeed, there have even been claims for him to be brought into the Barcelona first team to inject some new blood into a trophy laden team that perhaps has reached the peak of their powers. Many Barcelona fans have spoken of their desire to see Deulofeu given a chance to perform ahead of the likes of Alexis Sanchez.

Patience is key however. There is no doubting Deulofeu’s talents but promoting him too early could hinder rather than aid his development. Barcelona fans need not reminding of the travails of Bojan, who after similarly exploding onto the scene, struggled to cope with the pressures being placed upon him and saw his career degenerate to the extent that he is now plying his trade in Italy, albeit at AC Milan, rather than spearheading the Barcelona attack as he once seemed to set to.

Adam Mazrani

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