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Marc Bernal, Pablo Torre and Pau Víctor have all taken part in LaLiga already, across midfield or attacking midfield roles, but none have played more or impressed as often as another: 21-year-old Marc Casado.
His rise under new boss Hansi Flick is all the more remarkable as it seemed he would be leaving this summer initially, not given much of a look-in by Xavi despite captaining the B team, making only two top-flight appearances. Even across all competitions, he has already played more times under Flick this term than he had under Xavi in two years being involved with the seniors.
Usually a holding midfielder or controlling player right in the middle for the B team, he has operated both in the latter role and higher upfield under Flick – his ability to dictate the tempo of Barca’s play, find space in the final third and execute the final pass being a massive boost to the side, with so many other creative passers absent.
His quick impact has not gone unnoticed. “We are not talking enough about Marc Casado and his impact on Barcelona’s midfield. He has made himself important [in] the build-up, his intensity and dynamism with lots of quality on the ball. Key player right now,” said former Barca attacker Luis García.
Casado’s on the ball work bears out such a lofty assessment. If a 91% pass accuracy in LaLiga and more successful passes per 90 minutes than 95% of the rest of the league comes as expected in a Barcelona midfielder, perhaps being dispossessed precisely zero times in 382 minutes offers a glimpse at his poise and timing. He averages over 80 touches a game and has created four chances with a combined xA of 0.68 – in the upper 20% of the league, for context. And it isn’t all about his on-the-ball work either, as he wins 62% of his duels, better than 88% of LaLiga midfielders so far.
The youngster is quickly becoming a go-to option whether Barcelona need more control or more creativity: Hansi Flick trusts him, his teammates trust him. Perhaps the latter isn’t so surprising, given a number of them are youngsters right now who will have played together for some time. Casado has partnered Bernal in the centre, for example, with Pedri the third man higher up – and the rookie duo have a connection which, given the way they talk about it, is reminiscent of Pedri himself and Gavi. Or, for the previous generation, Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
“I have a great connection with Casado. We feel very comfortable on the pitch playing together,” says one.
“We understand each other with just a glance. We don’t talk to each other. With one look we already see what the other player is thinking. I think that with our movements you can see that there is a connection,” says the other.
Such familiarity has undoubtedly served Barcelona well given the lack of familiarity about the names on the teamsheet, and they’ve already moved to build on that cohesion: Casado has a new contract tied up along with several of the other youngsters who have made their name this term.
It’s really no wonder that Barcelona feel – now, if not as recently as six months ago – that Casado can play a big part in their future. Still struggling with an enormous salary bill, unable to properly sign players and register them without offloading others and with stadium redevelopments and other costs ensuring the complex web of club finances is still years from being fully untangled, La Masia graduates like Casado – and Bernal, Alex Balde, even Lamine Yamal for goodness’ sake – have the dual impact of costing nothing initially and costing much less on an ongoing basis than some of the bought-in star names.
While it’s way too early to compare his senior impact to, say, Frenkie de Jong, it doesn’t need a huge leap to imagine the Dutchman’s wages going the same way of İlkay Gündoğan’s, if Casado continues to bring cohesion and quality. Especially if De Jong’s injuries don’t clear up, and that goes double with the prospect of bringing in a big transfer fee.
Without him, Barcelona’s season would never have got off to the type of start which leaves them top of LaLiga. Casado can be assured he has not only helped salvage their campaign right from the start, but that he has also given himself a senior career to look forward to.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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