Toni Fernández: FC Barcelona’s next jewel storms into Flick’s focus with cousin Guille

Talent calendar

The La Masia youth academy is currently once again the undisputed benchmark in the global promotion of talent. After a few years without any real permeability, three talents, Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí and Marc Casadó, have become absolute top performers in the FC Barcelona first team within a year. Several other players are on the rise or already play a role in Hansi Flick’s squad. A surname that could appear twice in the next few years is Fernández. Cousins ​​Toni and Guille Fernández are already proving their talent in the second team in the third Spanish league at the age of 16.

Both moved from Espanyol to FC Barcelona together in 2018 and worked together from one year to the next, sometimes competing against players who were four years older – and with success. According to a youth coach, they are inseparable off the pitch, but their player profiles are very different.

Flick already seems to think highly of both of them, as they are regularly in the squad in LaLiga and the Champions League, but have not yet made their debut in either case. However, the 59-year-old has already emphasized that both will definitely get their minutes in the cup competition. Toni and Guille are contractually bound until 2027, with the club’s option for a further two years.

The younger of the two makes it into this year’s talent calendar first. Toni Fernández can act as a false nine on the offensive, but as a left-footer he also likes to come from the right wing. With Flick, he seems to be intended for the tenth position in the long term, which Dani Olmo currently holds. In addition to his goal threat, his assist skills are also at a high level; he is described as a very hard-working player with a team-serving mentality.

Born in July 2008, the offensive player made his debut for FC Barcelona’s second team in September at the age of 16 years and one month. In the 3-0 win against FC Ourense, he scored his own goal – the youngest goalscorer in league history – and four minutes later he also set up his cousin’s debut goal. Toni Fernández also holds the record as the youngest goalscorer in the U17 and U18 national teams. During the professional team’s trip to the USA this year, Barcelona played against Man City and AC Milan, among others, where he scored one goal in each penalty shootout.

In the summer there were various international teams that were said to be interested in signing him, but Toni seems to want to make his way to FC Barcelona. After an injury with the national team, he is currently on his way back to the pitch after a break of several weeks and it will be exciting to see whether Flick can help him make his debut in LaLiga this season.

The Fernández family stands out at FC Barcelona

His cousin Guille – both fathers are brothers and both mothers are sisters – is a month older and has experienced almost the same development as Toni. He plays in central midfield and impresses with his assists, his robustness and his visionary game. The creative left-footer made his debut in the second team in March. At 15 years and nine months, he is the youngest player in the Barça reserves. He is also regularly active for the Spanish U19 national team (six appearances).

It doesn’t seem unrealistic that Toni and Guille will be seen together on the pitch at FC Barcelona at some point, perhaps even in the national team. The potential for this seems to run in the family, as another Fernández offspring, Juan, Guille’s brother, plays in FC Barcelona’s youth team.

Every day from December 1st to 24th, Transfermarkt will present a talent from the 2007 or 2008 vintage from a different country. Sponsors, data scouts and users act as experts and report interesting facts about 24 young players in our talent calendar who you should keep a close eye on in the future. For example with the TM Watchlist.