"Tommy Marques has quietly become a familiar figure around Barcelona's first-team environment under Hansi Flick. The 19-year-old midfielder has been a constant presence in training sessions in recent weeks, regularly working alongside established senior players. Yet despite that growing exposure, his official first-team debut has so far remained out of reach. As Barcelona prepare to begin their Copa del Rey campaign against CD Guadalajara, there is a growing sense that the competition may once again serve as the perfect platform for youth integration."
"According to journalist Jordi Cardero in Mundo Deportivo, the young midfielder, who has been called up by Flick for the last four league fixtures, is a genuine candidate to make his senior debut tonight. The report underlines that Flick has confidence in the youngster and views him as a reliable option when rotation is required. A perfect stage Historically, the Copa del Rey has offered Barcelona's academy talents their first real taste of senior football."
"While the shift to a single-match format in the early rounds has increased the risk of surprise eliminations, it has not stopped managers from trusting young players. Last season, in Barbastro, Toni Fernandez made his debut under Flick. Two years earlier, Pau Cubarsi made his first appearance against Unionistas. Now, the spotlight may fall on Marques. The midfielder has been included in the first-team squad for the last four league matches, but has continued to gain his minutes with Barça Atletic."
Tommy Marques, a 19-year-old midfielder, has trained regularly with Barcelona's first team under Hansi Flick but has not yet made an official senior appearance. Barcelona's Copa del Rey tie against CD Guadalajara presents a likely debut opportunity, with Marques having been included in the first-team squad for the last four league fixtures and considered a genuine candidate for senior minutes. Flick values Marques for his presence, positional discipline, tactical intelligence and ability to follow instructions, and historically the Copa del Rey has provided a pathway for academy players to earn first-team debuts.
Read at Barca Universal
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