Barcelona staff rate teenage defensive prospect highly, see him as a partner for Araujo

Barcelona finished the 2022-23 season with La Liga’s best defensive record by quite some distance. In fact, the defensive numbers place the Blaugranas amidst the best ever in the history of the league.

Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, and Alejandro Balde, in that sense, were critical to Barcelona’s league title and Spanish Super Cup victory.

With arguably three of the world’s best centre-backs at his disposal and the newly signed Inigo Martinez to back them up, Xavi Hernandez is spoilt for choice ahead of the next season.

According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, the manager’s dilemma does not end there. Mikayil Faye, whom Xavi has called up for pre-season with the first team, is generating incredible sensations so far.

The coaching staff holds him in high regard and sees him as someone who can form a strong partnership with Araujo. In fact, the duo have been seen playing together multiple times in pre-season so far.

The 19-year-old Senegalese starlet joined Barça earlier this transfer window in a rather sudden run of events. While he was initially seen as an option for Barça Atletic, he appears to have quickly caught Xavi’s eye and is now pushing for a starting spot.

With Barcelona set to begin their pre-season friendlies against Arsenal later tonight, Faye is a strong candidate to get minutes under his belt. His immediate future, needless to say, will heavily bank on his performances in the coming games.

The Senegalese prospect will continue as a Barca Atletic player this season, although one can expect him to train regularly with the first team. His rise, however, could signal the end of the road for Eric Garcia who has already fallen down the pecking and finds himself the fifth-choice centre-back.