Former Barcelona attacker Jeffren Suarez says the club are not as committed to promoting youth players through to the senior team as they used to be.
Jeffren made his way through the Barcelona academy, making his debut with the senior side in 2006 as an 18-year-old.
The Venezuelan was with the Catalans until 2011, when he signed with Portuguese side Sporting in search of regular minutes.
Now 29, Jeffren is enjoying a positive spell with Swiss side Grasshoppers, and he reflected on his decision to leave the Blaugrana six years ago.
“We all know that leaving Barcelona is a radical change. It’s like coming back to reality,” Jeffren told Marca.
“At first it was not easy, but one has to change the chip. Barcelona is a top team and the other teams are good, but they will never be Barcelona.”
The Blaugrana have been known for promoting youth players to the senior team through their famed La Masia academy, but Jeffren now sees a club that has strayed from their philosophy.
“Lately that philosophy is being lost, I think that the majority of the teams make signings and Barcelona have to make them, too,” he said.
“It’s a shame because we know that Barcelona have always taken players from the academy and I think that’s why there are players who make the decision to continue their career elsewhere.
“They bet more on outside players now.
“Because the club see that big teams sign players from all parts of the world, they think that if they want to be at the same level they need to sign.
“But I do not think they need to. Going back to the philosophy of the academy would be better.”
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