Quim Junyent: Barcelona’s next midfield maestro made in La Masia by Archie Berry
| Date of Birth (Age): 25-03-2007(16) | Height (cm): 171 |
| Nationality: Spain | Position: Central Midfielder, Attacking Midfielder |
| Youth Career: Gimnastic Manresa Youth, FC Barcelona Youth (since 2016) | Preferred Foot: Right |
| Current Club: FC Barcelona U19 | Weak Foot: 5/5 |
| Contract Until: 30-06-2026 | National Team (apps/goals): Spain U17 (6/2) |
| Key Tournaments: UEFA Youth league, U-17 World Cup | Player Comparison: Andres Iniesta |
| Market Value: | Clubs Interested: |
Key strengths:
Ball control (Very Strong)
First Touch (Very Strong)
Ball manipulation (Very Strong)
Awareness (Very Strong) ⭐️
Football IQ (Very Strong)
Technique (Very Strong)
Composure (Strong)
Dribbling (Strong)
Composure (Strong)
Balance (Strong)
Passing across all ranges (Strong)
Ambidexterity (Strong)
Finishing (Strong)
Improvements:
Physical strength: Junyent is of a small frame and sometimes finds himself dispossessed by stronger players, developments to his overall strength would aid his overall game well.
Defensive transitions: Although Junyent has extremely good dribbling skills, when he his dispossessed, he can sometimes be slow to react into the defensive transition. This will be exploited at senior level, an essential improvement for him to work on.
Style of Play:
Junyent excels in attacking zones, potential to be a 8/10 hybrid midfielder.
Great at using ball manipulation skills to create passing angles in every area of the pitch.
Good understanding of how to engineer space and receiving between the lines.
Excellent at taking his team through penetration zones, into finishing zones with his exceptional dribbling and incisive passing.
He typically continues his run following a pass and enters the opposition box to get on the end of crosses or loose balls.
Excellent at scanning for his age, he has already mastered the ability of awareness on the pitch, always knows where his next pass is.
Uses ‘La pausa’ effectively to exploit opponents press.
Great in tight spaces
Good finishing ability and composure in the final third.
Often shows dynamism in his game.
Can use either foot very effectively in all areas of the pitch, furthering the similarities with Andres Iniesta.
Great at linking play with teammates.
Excellent at drawing fouls.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
Match Analysis:
Quim Junyent possesses remarkable natural skills in confined areas. When faced with three opposing players closing in on him as he receives the ball, he instinctively executes a clever nutmeg, swiftly locating a teammate. Following this, he adeptly delivers a precise pass to a teammate positioned wide in a one-on-one situation.
Junyent can execute incisive passes and create big chances for teammates, in this image he puts teammate Marc Guiu through on goal, with an excellent pass that takes 4 opposition players out of the game and leads to an assist for him.
In these images, we see Quim Junyent’s excellent awareness, creativity and natural elegance to his game on display. He scans a few times to ensure he knows where his defender and teammate are located, he then points to where he wants to receive the pass and impressively executes a flick into the final third, breaking the oppositions defensive lines and creating a big chance for his side.
Junyent capitalises on an excellent opportunity, remaining composed and showcasing great ball manipulation abilities to score at the U17 World cup. He allows the ball to come across his body instead of snatching at the shot, the defender commits himself early and Junyent is able to finish the chance with a clear shot on goal.
Video:
Overview:
Quim Junyent emerges as the latest gem in the illustrious La Masia Setup, embodying the elegance and football intelligence synonymous with Barcelona’s renowned youth academy. As a midfielder, his exceptional awareness surpasses his years, offering a mature understanding of the game that sets him apart.
What truly defines Junyent is his continuous pitch scanning, a hallmark of his exceptional intelligence on the field. Adept at progressing the ball, he showcases remarkable technical ability and can use both feet with precision. His dribbling prowess, reminiscent of Iniesta’s artistry, allows him to navigate tight spaces effortlessly.
Following a great performance at the U17 World Cup in Indonesia, where Quim contributed to three goals in five games, the Barcelona maestro earned a coveted spot in first-team training under the watchful eye of manager Xavi. His successful integration into the senior squad seems imminent, reflecting the promise of an excellent career.
Quim’s journey aligns seamlessly with Barcelona’s commitment to nurturing talent, and his potential inclusion in the senior team underscores his readiness for the highest level of European football. Alongside fellow La Masia talents like Juan Hernandez, Paul Prim and Marc Bernal, Quim Junyent is undoubtedly poised to shape the future of Spanish midfielders. His journey is a testament to La Masia’s legacy and a testament to the exciting prospects awaiting fans in the seasons to come.
Potential Rating: 9/10 – A top player at an elite level European club.