Lucho said in an interview a few years back there is nothing better than seeing players from La Masia grow up and make it at the first team; but he is a pragmatist and not an idealist like Pep. Lucho plays youngsters who are good enough to play. The big problem with La Masia players from the last few years is that people expect them to be something they are not, and Bartra epitomises that. If someone deserves to play, he will. But suggesting a left back who was terrible at defending in Segunda last year is somehow "surely better" than a 1st team player, no matter who that player is, is quite far-fetched.
That's where you are wrong. No youngster is "good enough to play". You have to give them minutes in order for them to improve. The only thing Bartra epitomises is the fact that a wonderful centre back talent turns into a rusty confidence less defender after not been given enough sufficient game time after performing well when he DID get a chance.
There is no place in the squad for Grimaldo but we have Adriano on the bench almost every game and then there's still Douglas. Are they better you think? No way. At least Grimaldo has the potential to become a good left back.
Every young player needs a coach that believes in them, Lucho simply doesn't believe and plays result-wise, short-term teams. You think Munir, Sandro, Adama, Halilovic, Samper, Grimaldo,... will all of a sudden "be good enough" when they are 25 years old? No, they need time. Time Tito, Tata and now Lucho don't give them. Pep gave talented youngsters a shot and then made decisions from there. Lucho doesn't play anyone and then people just say "it's because La Masia is overhyped".
Iniesta, Xavi, Victor Valdés, Pedro, Busi,... all got sufficient playing time to improve as a footballer, to raise their game that extra level from being a talent to being a pro. Was Sergio Busquets "good enough" when he benched arguably the best defensive midfielder at the time Yaya Touré? Again, no. He played one season as a pro in the fourth division. If we would have this situation now people would say "What's the point in benching Touré? The man is awesome. It's normal that Samper isn't good enough to replace him."
Lucho saying that there's nothing better than seeing players from La Masia playing for the first team and actually handling them well are two different things. Him totally neglecting the youth set-up is the only thing I dislike about him.
