‘Reincarnation of Busquets’ – Barcelona wonderkid set for first-team berth after brilliant pre-season

Marc Bernal has been one of the revelations of the pre-season this summer for FC Barcelona, with the 17-year-old midfield sensation looking at home in Hansi Flick’s team.

Having impressed after coming on as a substitute against UE Olot, Bernal has started both of Barcelona’s friendlies in the USA against Manchester City and Real Madrid and made a huge impression.

Bernal guaranteed a first-team spot

So much so that, Barcelona and Hansi Flick are ready to include Marc Bernal in the first-team plans when the season starts, reports Javi Miguel of AS.

One of the most highly-rated young talents at the club currently, Bernal is attracting comparisons to a Barça legend already.

“He is the reincarnation of Sergio Busquets,” say those who know him well in the dressing room.

Marc Bernal (C) set to continue in the first-team dynamics. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

The report states that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was greatly captivated by the 17-year-old prodigy’s performance in midfield in the friendly encounter last week in the US.

The former Barcelona head coach looked at his assistant, Juanma Lillo, with an astonished look on his face, aware that a future star was being forged.

“I thought Marc Bernal was extraordinary, how he controls, how he plays,” said Guardiola after the game, heaping praise on the La Masia wonderkid.

Flick has been giving Bernal the right to play from day one, starting the first two games (City and Real Madrid). Now, the decision has practically been taken: he will continue in the first-team dynamic.

This decision automatically entails another one: the signing of a defensive pivot is ruled out. Bernal, along with fellow La Masia midfielder Marc Casado will be counted upon by Flick to shore up the defensive midfield positions.