{"id":11972,"date":"2025-01-16T13:49:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T12:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weisetech.dev\/fc-barcelona-noticias\/en\/after-cubarsi-which-other-barca-atletic-centre-backs-could-make-it-to-the-first-team_310139_102\/"},"modified":"2025-07-22T19:17:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T17:17:00","slug":"after-cubarsi-which-other-barca-atletic-centre-backs-could-make-it-to-the-first-team_310139_102","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fcbarcelonanoticias.com\/en\/fc-barcelona\/after-cubarsi-which-other-barca-atletic-centre-backs-could-make-it-to-the-first-team_310139_102.html","title":{"rendered":"After Cubars\u00ed, which other Bar\u00e7a Atl\u00e8tic centre-backs could make it to the first team?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Barcelona youth academy is home to some great talents who could one day become part of the senior squad. The defence is no exception<\/h2> \r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n Calendar of FC Barcelona <\/a>\r\n<\/div>

The Blaugrana defence has a solid base to build on, but there is a certain amount of scepticism surrounding it for the future. The centre of the defence is made up of five first team players: Pau Cubars\u00ed, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Eric Garc\u00eda and I\u00f1igo Mart\u00ednez<\/strong>. However, rumours about possible departures are looming over many of those mentioned, so another centre-back who came through the club’s youth ranks could be promoted, as happened with the current number 2.<\/strong><\/p>

Of the five players named who occupy the positions in the centre of the rearguard, only Pau Cubars\u00ed seems to have his continuity assured. The latest information pointed towards the Ronald Araujo saga ending in an extension of his contract<\/a>, but nothing has been finalised yet. Meanwhile, Andreas Christensen and Eric Garc\u00eda are two players who are very likely to leave the club. In fact, the player from Martorell could do so this January for Girona<\/a>. Finally, I\u00f1igo Mart\u00ednez is 33 years old, so he is not a long-term option either.<\/p>

Sergi Dom\u00ednguez and Andr\u00e9s Cuenca, two familiar faces<\/h3>

The first two names that might come to mind for Bar\u00e7a fans when thinking of centre-backs for La Mas\u00eda are Sergi Dom\u00ednguez<\/strong> (19 years old) and Andr\u00e9s Cuenca<\/strong> (17 years old). Both have already made their debut with the first team. In addition, the former has been an extra man for Hansi Flick all season, participating in training and travelling to sporting events. Dom\u00ednguez is a right-footed, tall (1.91 metres), fast, strong and very good ball-disposal centre-back that Hansi Flick likes<\/strong>. In addition, he has already played 235 minutes spread over 6 matches with the seniors.<\/p>

For his part, Cuenca is also a profile that the first team staff has under control<\/strong>. He is shorter than the previously named, although he is of good height for the position (1.81 metres), and he can still grow more. His most significant trait is the quality he has in his boots and his refined technique when bringing the ball out<\/strong>. However, although he is in the process of improving it, he is not very forceful in actions that require it. Also, as an emergency situation in the reserve team, he has played several games out of position, located at left back.<\/strong><\/p>

\u00c1lvaro Cort\u00e9s and Alexis Olmedo, a great duo<\/h3>

Olmedo is a 19-year-old right-footed central defender who has become a vitally important player for the Blaugrana reserve team. He already had minutes with Rafa M\u00e1rquez in his last season in charge of Bar\u00e7a Atl\u00e8tic, normally as a right back, in the style of Jules Kound\u00e9<\/strong>. He is a good player with the ball at his feet, although he is not as fine as, for example, Pau Cubars\u00ed. He is not the most powerful either, but he is a sure thing<\/strong>. Always correct in defence and attack, in addition to having very good dribbling skills<\/strong> with which he can break lines.<\/p>

On the other hand, \u00c1lvaro Cort\u00e9s is a very tall and strong centre-back<\/strong>. He doesn’t stand out for his speed, but he does stand out for his strength. In addition, he has a good way of getting the ball out and is left-footed, a profile that is scarce and always comes in handy. He is 19 years old and it still seems that the first team is a bit far away for him,<\/strong> as this is his first season in the reserve team and he is not an undisputed starter. He is a profile that should be kept an eye on, although perhaps he lacks preparation.<\/p>

Mbacke, a new Faye case?<\/h3>

Mamadou Mbacke (22 years old, right-footed) arrived at Bar\u00e7a Atl\u00e8tic on loan in the 2023\/2024 season from Los Angeles FC. Together with Mikayil Faye, they formed an enviable defensive duo<\/strong>. The two Senegalese centre-backs complemented each other very well, as the one from the United States, with his 1.87 metres of height, was imposing from above and calm in defensive actions<\/strong>. His teammate, sold this summer to Rennes for 10 million euros, was more powerful and passionate, which caused him to disconnect from the ball in some ways, although he was better at bringing it out.<\/p>

At the end of the season, Mbacke returned temporarily to his club of origin, as FC Barcelona ended up paying 2 million euros to have him permanently in their ranks. He suffered a serious injury to his right ankle in April and did not return until October. After his recovery, he has regained his place in the reserve team and is a very important player for Albert S\u00e1nchez<\/strong>, so Hansi Flick is sure to have him under control.<\/p> ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Barcelona youth academy is home to some great talents who could one day become part of the senior squad. The defence is no exception The Blaugrana defence has a solid base to build on, but there is a certain amount of scepticism surrounding it for the future. The centre of the defence is made […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":11974,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_nextfly_llmd_date_locked":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[469,155,181],"class_list":["post-11972","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fc-barcelona","tag-pau-cubarsi-2","tag-pau-cubarsi","tag-the-masia"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAfter Cubars\u00ed, which other Bar\u00e7a Atl\u00e8tic centre-backs could make it to the first team?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Barcelona youth academy is home to some great talents who could one day become part of the senior squad. 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