Isaac Guerrero had led his 5-man team to coach the 6-8 age group this summer. The trip to the Camp Nou Museum marked the end of camp this afternoon. Isaac was now seated with the head coaches for the other age brackets. The conference room was lit up by the sun through the ceiling windows facing the west. At the head of the conference table was Álex García, a man Isaac deeply respected for his expertise and passion for Barca.
"Ok, Isaac. We will end our meeting with the 6-8 cohort. Let's begin with some of the names you are certain we should sign," Álex's voice prompted Isaac to stand up. He walked up to the TV screen and connected his laptop.
"I'll start with 6 players I believe have the potential to succeed at our club, both in terms of quality and playstyle. For each player, I'll first pull up their cumulative performance in the various tests. Then we can watch 3-4 minutes from their possession games and tests."
Isaac pulled up an infographic on his laptop, "I'll start with a centreback who has high potential, but more importantly, he understands the game, #44 Eric Garcia Martret."
…
The meeting ended, and the coaches started trickling out of the room. Isaac Guerrero had a lost look on his face as he unplugged his laptop. It was 8.30 PM, and he did not know whether to take more of Álex's time to talk about that kid.
The kid's personality and work ethic, in the end, pushed Isaac to decide to stop Álex. At that moment, Isaac made a decision that he and Álex would come to consider as the most important decision of his life.
"Álex, can we talk?"
Álex turned around, taken aback by Isaac's question. He bid the other coaches goodbye and walked back to his chair. The last vestiges of the sun illuminated the room from behind him.
Isaac hesitated under Álex's gaze, but continued, "I did not mention a kid during our discussion, because I am not sure what to make of him. All his physical tests are decent, but that is all. His technique is clearly lacking for the elite at his age."
Isaac stopped here because he lacked the confidence to continue. Álex, ever passionate about bringing new talent to La Masia, was quite intrigued by the boy who made Isaac feel so conflicted.
"He is slightly above average in his technique and traits, good enough for many clubs in the league, but not us. However, his work ethic and stamina are something I have never seen at this age. He worked harder than every other boy, but ended each session the least tired."
Álex raised his eyebrows, giving a nod for Isaac to continue.
"Yet, yet… I don't even know how to say it… The boy understands and reads the game as a veteran midfielder would. He can create his own vacuum of time and space on the field. At the tactical sessions, he can even customize the instructions and tactics we give them."
Isaac handed over a blue plastic file titled "#67 - Jordi Lloret". The file contained the written assignments of the boy from each of the tactical sessions.
"Just read through them. I also have his clips, about 15 minutes. It is up to you to decide, Álex."
Álex Garcia opened the file and recognized the picture on top of the assignments. He remembered that solitary boy from the first day. That quiet confidence and shyness contradicting itself in that boy had made a lasting impression on him.
The chair creaked as Álex leaned forward.