I can't seem to recall, has there been a change scouting directions compared to say 10-15 years ago? Today it seems there are a lot more of these Africans rather than South Americans on our radar. Perhaps it's because of the price. But it should take more resources to properly scout in Africa than in South America where every other player has a highlight reel made by some kid in a basement.
Good question. Possibly a change of perception by the club made to happen by financial constraints and competition in South America.
Things move quickly in football though, even the Brighton method isnt as clear cut these days. If Kendry Paez (prob butchered the name but will lose this message if I exit the screen) had appeared 4 years ago then they would have signed him like Caicedo and the likes. Now they exposed the Ecuador market and Chelsea beat us to his signing.
We have always been in Africa. In the 90s we signed Okunowo I recall. Then we had the collab in Laporta's first stint with the Etoo foundation and had names like Etock who never really made it.
But definitely we are heavier in that market this window. And then look at Ibrahim Diarra, one of the best players in the U17 world cup. You have him going for pennies and then you have Echevierri going for 20m and Estevao for 50m+.
But of course you have to lay the ground work, get their first and build the relationship. We got their first for Diarra but Man U got there for Sekou Kone and even Metz beat everyone for Diouf. So all the big clubs are there already, but we have certain conditions in Spain (no nonEU issues) and being Barca (see below) that give us advantages.
You can literally scout Africa and find 50 Ibrahim Diarra's for the price of one big Brazilian talent of the same name.
Then there is another thing, Barcelona has a great reputation. I know first hand cases of Academies in Ghana who are Barcelona fans and will work their ass off to get their players a shot at Barca purely because of that, which is a huge first step.
Lastly perception. Before there was a notion of fake birth certificates and that these players don't transcend to Europe tactically. Now we realise we can get them at 18 with the right profiles and drop them into our development system and see if they flourish. While they will generally have better physical condition than most European and SA countries as a bonus.
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