Barcelona Restructures Player Development Ahead of 2026/27 Season

Barcelona announced a structural change in its player development system as it prepares for the 2026/27 season. The club will transfer the management of its reserve team, Barcelona Atlètic, from the youth department to the senior team department. This move aims to strengthen the connection between the reserve squad and the first team, allowing closer monitoring and integration of players into the senior team’s vision.

Young player Oriyan Goren, who is expected to play next season with the reserves, received praise from first-team coach Enzo Flic during an internal training match held on August 3, 2026. The club’s sports director, Deko, will also oversee the reserve team, emphasizing a seamless transition for players moving between squads without adaptation delays, particularly in physical conditioning.

Barcelona’s decision follows a realization that loaning players to affiliated clubs, as done by teams like Manchester City, is not optimal for their development. Instead, the club plans to build long-term professional pathways for standout players like Goren within its own structure. This approach is intended to expand the first-team roster depth and ensure players are ready to contribute immediately when called upon.