Barcelona Youth Training Director: If we can stimulate Rashford s potential, he will be a world-class player

Before setting out for Japan to start the pre-season tour, Joan Soler, general manager of Barcelona's youth training and member of the sports committee, accepted an exclusive interview with SPORT. He talked about Rashford franchise, financial equity, Nico, and the club's current status and future development.

■About new aid Joan Garcia

"We found this opportunity in the transfer market. He is a young man with the potential to become the world's top goalkeeper. Although he comes from another team from the city, Espanyol, he refused other offers without hesitation when Barcelona contacted him. We believe he will develop a lot here."

■About Terstegen

"He is currently relapsed from a back injury and is in a difficult period. We will fully support him. It also proves that we are right to sign Garcia. Barcelona must focus on the present and the future at the same time."

■What can Rashford bring?

"He had a tough season in England, but Rashford was the world's top two or three years ago. We were impressed by his speed and breakthroughs against us. He expressed his desire to come to Barcelona from the beginning, despite many offers. If we can stimulate his potential, he is a world-class player."

■About Nico Williams' failure to join

"He chose to renew Athletic Bilbao, which was his decision. We have signed Rashford and we are very satisfied with him."

■Can a fiscal fair 1:1 registration mechanism be achieved?

"We are making progress every year. There is a lot of room for interpretation of this rule. We have overcome obstacles again and again, but the rules have changed. We will continue to work hard and will eventually be able to completely get rid of the restrictions of financial fairness. After the Camp Nou Stadium is put into use, everything will be easier."

■External doubts?

"We are Barcelona, we have won many championships, we must stick to our own route and ignore what other clubs think. They just care about themselves."

■ Regarding the contract renewal of several players: De Jong, Conde?

"Deco is dealing with this matter, and we are very optimistic because the players want to stay, and we hope they stay, and there will be no problems."

■ Back to the youth training level, is it a problem for Team B (reservoir) to play in the Spanish Second Division RFEF?

"Relegation is indeed unsatisfactory, and there is indeed a gap if one level is missing, but the key to our success is "cultivation", which will not change. Players will still play high-intensity games in competitive teams. They will compete and grow, which is why we hope they can be prepared when the first team needs it."

■Some old players have left?

"The final first team position is limited, and some players need to find another way out. They play at a higher level, and we usually retain the buyback rights or future transfer share when they leave the team. If they perform well, they can come back at any time."

■What will Giuliano Beletti bring to the B team?

"When he first took over the youth team, he didn't have much coaching experience, but he led the team to win all the games. He is a coach with personality. We think in his style, he is an ideal candidate to coach this young B team."

■What do you think about the changes in the referee system after Real Madrid's complaint?

"These are not things we can control, and we can't interfere. We are very clear that if we want to score one more goal than our opponent, then we will score that goal. We have to compete and overcome difficulties, that's all."

■You just mentioned the Camp Nou Stadium, so what do you think about the situation of not being able to return as scheduled?

"Everyone is very eager to return to Camp Nou, so any delay will be frustrating. It is a huge project. We and the construction party are all in their efforts and hope to complete the work as soon as possible, because the sooner we go back, the better it will be for the club economy."

■Sports Vice Chairman Rafa Ust received an invitation from Saudi Arabia. Do you suggest him leave?

"This is his personal decision, and I can only say that as a colleague on the board, I am very satisfied with him. He has paid a lot for the club. I hope he can continue to work with us for many years, but this is his own choice after all."