Amid Barcelona’s intense preparations for the new season, an unexpected name has emerged at the club’s training facilities and is beginning to make a strong impression during first-team sessions. Sources within the club confirm that one of the rising stars has caught the attention of the technical staff in a surprising way and may now be facing a historic opportunity to take a major step forward in his professional career—before even turning eighteen.
In the early days of preseason, German coach Hansi Flick began closely monitoring the performances of a young talent from the reserve team. The player surprised everyone with his quick adaptation, bold approach, and a rare blend of technical and tactical qualities for someone his age.
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According to sources close to the training camp, the emerging star “Drew,” of Spanish-Filipino descent, stood out from the very first session. Flick now considers him a potential key player in his attacking system, impressed by the youngster’s speed, intensity, defensive work rate, and on-field intelligence—attributes that give him an edge over his peers in the reserve side.
His impact became even more apparent during Barcelona’s friendly against Vissel Kobe, where he delivered a standout performance. This prompted Flick to select him over other promising players, such as Jan Virgil, for a place in the starting lineup. Expectations are now high that Drew will be included in the first-team squad at the beginning of the season.
Inside the club, officials are mindful of the importance of managing emerging talents carefully. Still, there’s growing belief that Drew could become one of Flick’s most significant discoveries, especially given the demanding fixture schedule and the need for depth and quality throughout the squad.
If he maintains his current level and mental composure, Drew may soon evolve from a “new face” to a central figure in Barça’s new sporting project under Hansi Flick.
