The next level are the A and B "Infantil" squads. Aging from 13 to 14,
it is at this level where players are given more advanced tactical training
and the Club brings in more players from different regions of the world. In
fact, there is currently a 14-year-old Brazilian phenom forward by the name
Elanio Pereira being worked through the system.
The young 15 year olds train in the "Cadetes" B team, while the more adult
15 to 16 year olds train with the A team. It is at this level where the
player begins to be introduced to the full rigors of being a professional
and actually sign professional contracts. Practices are held every night
and the expectations for the squads to perform at a higher level increase
exponentially. At this age it is assumed the essentials of the game are
acquired and what is subsequently nurtured are further tactical aspects
, and also the physical rigors of being a professional athlete. Also at
this level, we find more players from further distances than the surrounding
areas. Currently eight players require full time lodging somewhere in the
city to play on the squad. Other Brazilians, one named Marcelo Correia da
Silva trains on the B squad, and is in fact the youngest player, by at least
a year, on the team. Gilberto Braz de Oliveira trains on the A team and is
also the youngest. Without knowing for certain, that fact would suggest they
have been identified as prospects worth placing in a proper professional
atmosphere.
By the time a player has reached the age of 17 or 18, the Club and its
echnical staff have determined whether a player is worth continued support.
In many cases, the players attend schools and universities at the Club's
expense, while training on one of the developmental squads. The final youth
development stage is achieved at this age with the seventeen-year-olds playing
on the "Juvenil B" and the 17 to 18 year olds playing on the "Juvenil A".
These groups of players are selected because of the promise they show on the
field. Selected from all parts of Spain, it can be said that they are the best
and the brightest the country has to offer. For the most part, because
of their physical, technical and mental adeptness to the game these players
at some point will join the ranks of the main squads, or another Club
somewhere in Spain. I would suggest however, as is proof in the legacy of
Ivan de la Pena, a player that has been brought through the system looks to
advance to the top squad. All other teams in the league or the world for that
matter, fall short in comparison. It is said that by this age a players blood
is not red any longer, it is "Blau I Grana," the team colors.
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◆ From: 61.60.82.18
※ 編輯: kurtlennon 來自: 61.60.82.18 (03/25 18:50)