Former Barcelona defender and sporting director, Eric Abidal has heaped praise on exciting young Duo, Lamine Yamal and Gavi, while also disclosing how he assisted the Blaugrana in seeing of PSG to Frenkie de Jong’s signing.
After playing for Barcelona for six years from 2007 to 2013, Abidal, a former defender, had two seasons as the team’s director from 2018 to 2020.
When a particular Gavi burst into Barcelona’s first team lineup in the last days of his directorship, Abidal claims it just took a few minutes to realize the La Masia gem’s potential.
What Did Abidal Say About Gavi and Yamal?
“It only took me 10 minutes to see his potential and realise that he was a different player to his age group,” said Abidal as reported by Barca Universal.
The former French star also gushed about Yamal’s contributions to the first squad.
“He has become the player that everyone knows, but for me what is surprising is to know that in La Masia there are players like him who come out from one day to the next and that makes me think of an interview with Mbappe who said: ‘don’t talk to me about age’ and I think he was right.”
Abidal also disclosed how, in the summer of 2019, when Frenkie de Jong appeared to be on his way to PSG, he persuaded the midfielder to sign with Barcelona.
“The level is what makes the difference. And, if he has the level as we are seeing on the pitch, it doesn’t matter how old he is,” he added.
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“He told me, ‘look I haven’t spoken to the Barça coach. That’s why I made the decision to go to PSG, because I spoke to Tuchel’. And I simply told him: ‘At Barça it’s the institution that signs you, not the coach,’” said Abidal.
“And the second thing, with the total price of the transfer, you will be the first choice.”
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