The Spanish club could lose many of their young talents, with Julio Pleguezuelo set to join Arsenal, while Sergi Canos is attracting interest from Liverpool and Tottenham

EXCLUSIVE
By Duncan Castles
    
Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign 16-year-old Barcelona starlet Josimar Quintero at the end of the season, with the Liga leaders braced to lose several promising talents to the Premier League.

The Ecuadorian attacking midfielder has told the Spanish club that he will not be taking up their offer of a senior contract, which will enable him to move to Stamford Bridge this summer for a nominal fee.
    
A fast and direct creator of chances from wide or central positions, Josimar joins defender Julio Pleguezuelo in the latest exodus of Barcelona’s youngsters.

Pleguezuelo, a player in the mould of Carles Puyol, has already told staff at Barca that he is leaving for Arsenal in the summer, while 16-year-old forward Sergi Canos is actively encouraging offers from English sides.

Canos, one of three Barca players called up by Spain for an international tournament against France, Italy and the Czech Republic in April, has been pursued by Liverpool and Tottenham. Like Josimar and Pleguezuelo, the striker has made it clear to his English suitors that financial terms significantly superior to those on offer at Camp Nou will convince him to move abroad.
    
The players’ first professional contract offers a window for Premier League sides to take advantage of Barcelona’s much-admired academy programme. Fifa rules prevent individuals under the age of 16 from moving overseas except under special circumstances, but also bar academies from signing their best graduates to long-term professional contracts until they have reached that age.
    
Should a club from another European league wish to offer them an alternative deal at 16 they must only pay the developing side Fifa-mandated compensation in lieu of a transfer fee. The maximum sum due for for a player who has spent four years in a “Category 1” club such as Barcelona is £308,000.
    
Scouting then poaching youngsters from Barca’s Under-16s has become a common strategy for the Premier League’s more affluent clubs. Arsenal targeted Cesc Fabregas in 2003, rapidly turning him into a regular first-team player and eventually making him their captain before he forced a Camp Nou return for £35 million eight years later. Gerard Pique joined Manchester United in 2004, returning to Catalunya four seasons later for £5m.

The 53-year-old spent six years at the Anfield outfit, winning the Champions League, but insists he will put former allegiances aside when the two teams meet on Sunday

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez insists he will remain focused when he faces Liverpool, though admits he is hoping for a positive reception on his return to Merseyside.

The former Liverpool manager takes his side to Anfield for what will be his first return to the club since his departure three years ago as he searches for points to secure a top-four finish in the league.

Whilst he hopes for a positive reaction from the Liverpool fans, he is determined to remain focused on achieving his targets with his current club and not let the reunion distract him.

“I have a lot of friends and memories from my time at Liverpool but I’ll try to concentrate on the game,” Benitez told reporters.

“You need to use your common sense. I am committed to Chelsea and to achieving our targets.

“Obviously, I was at Liverpool for six years and we won a lot of trophies, so I hope the fans appreciate that. However, they will also understand that I am their opponent on Sunday and they will support their own team.”

Benitez claimed Champions League and FA Cup victories in back-to-back seasons during his six-year stay at Anfield in run-ins which included victories over Jose Mourinho’s then Chelsea.

The rivalry between the two clubs developed as a result, and Benitez, who saw his appointment at Chelsea met with fierce hostility, hopes the passion will produce a good game.

“It’s good if the rivalry between the two clubs remains on the pitch because it means both are successful,” said Benitez.

“It will be a tough game. Liverpool create a lot of chances and we will need to be strong in defence. We need to carry on winning because that will keep us in the driving seat to finish third.”

The Anfield outfit failed to win any silverware this year but the left-back believes the side have improved, while also indicating his happiness with the current brand of football

Liverpool left-back Jose Enrique believes the lack of a trophy this season does not take away from the encouraging progression made under Brendan Rodgers during his first season in charge.

Enrique won the League Cup with Liverpool in his first season at the club under then boss Kenny Dalglish but the club haven’t experienced further victories during this campaign.

However the 27-year-old has defended the lack of silverware this season and insists the club have progressed, even if their results do not show it, and will continue to improve in the future.

“In terms of football and for the future, I think so,” Enrique told reporters. “As the manager said from the start, it’s difficult because he came to the club with another type of football that we’re not really used to in England.

“It’s difficult to get used to this system for players that have never played that type of football. Of course, last year we played two finals and won one of them.

“You can see how difficult it is to win a trophy. We won one last year and nothing this year, but in terms of the future we have made progress.”

The former Newcastle United defender has fought to reclaim his favoured left-back position, ousting Glen Johnson, and insists he will strive to stay there as he continues to enjoy the new style of football implemented by Rodgers.

“I will try to stay there [at left-back]. I don’t like to speak about myself but, for me, Glen is one of the best right-backs in the world,” Enrique continued.

“He [Brendan Rodgers] wants the full-backs to try to be another attacking player. It’s really good; I really enjoy this type of football.

“It’s good because it’s not just about defending and then attacking sometimes, he wants us to go all the time as another attacking player.”