Fermin Lopez’s emergence as a promising talent for Barcelona was quite unexpected by many. At the age of 13, this young midfielder made his way into Barcelona’s Infantil A team, following a period in Real Betis’ academy. His journey took a twist when he was loaned to Linares last season, which raised questions about his future with Barcelona. However, Xavi, known for his talent-spotting abilities, detected something special in Lopez.
Xavi extended an invitation to Fermin to join the US Tour, granting him the opportunity to practice and play with the senior team in the 2023/24 season. Today, Lopez is no longer viewed as an inexperienced newcomer but rather as a valuable member of the team.
Now, let’s delve into what we know about him and how he can make a meaningful contribution to Xavi’s squad this season.
Read More: Marc Guiu earns call-up to Spain U-17 squad after thrilling Barcelona debut goal
Player Profile
Fermin Lopez, at 20 years of age, possesses a versatile player profile. He is capable of playing on the left side, in a central midfield role, and even as a free-roaming number 10 just behind the front line. Standing at 176cm (5’9”) and weighing 68kg (149lbs), he boasts a well-built and athletic physique, with the potential for further development in his upper body.
Examining his player profile, Lopez exhibits a diverse set of skills in his arsenal. Analyzing his statistical performance from the 2022/23 season, it’s evident that he is well-rounded in various aspects of the game, particularly showcasing a sharp attacking edge.
Indeed, Fermin Lopez’s performance during the previous season at Linares, where he played as a left-winger and a hybrid of left-midfielder/number 10, is a reflection of his attacking prowess. However, even when deployed in more conventional midfield roles, he maintains a significant presence in the attack, often pushing forward and relying on his instincts, movement, and striking ability to contribute to the team’s offensive efforts.
This is evident in his goal contributions, shot attempts, and the number of times he enters the opposition’s penalty area, showcasing his ability not only to compete with but also outperform his forward-line peers. With the ball at his feet, his technical skills make him adept in tight spaces, allowing him to deliver the final pass, advance the play, or retain possession. Coupled with a strong work rate when the team doesn’t have possession, Fermin possesses a well-rounded profile that even Xavi couldn’t resist.
Fermin Lopez’s early career with the senior team is notably different from what we witnessed last season. While Barcelona occasionally used a midfielder on the left wing in the past, the arrival of Joao Felix has brought about a change in this approach. Fermin remains a viable option for Xavi in that role, but for now, he’s primarily been deployed as a right center-midfielder with a degree of positional freedom.
In the 2022/23 season, he was predominantly utilized on the left but displayed a strong presence both in the opponent’s box and deeper areas of the field. Even with a considerably smaller sample size in his new role, he’s already demonstrating his ability to make an impact across the entire pitch, which is impressive for a player who is still adapting to the system and his teammates. This adaptability and freedom in his positioning are direct outcomes of his versatile skill set.
Let’s delve deeper into his versatility.
Fermin Lopez: The Opportunistic Midfield Threat Xavi Values
Fermin Lopez’s primary position is that of a midfielder, despite his loan spell at Linares, where he often played in forward roles. Having come through La Masia’s midfield ranks, it’s no surprise that the 20-year-old exhibits a certain technical elegance in his playing style. However, it’s important to note that he primarily excels as an asset in the final third of the field, and while his deeper skills are present and valuable, it’s the attributes he brings higher up the pitch that make him a significant asset for Xavi’s team.
With players like Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, and Pedri, Barcelona boasts considerable technical quality and the ability to progress the play in the initial and secondary phases. What they do need, though, is a player in the mold of an opportunistic attacker higher up the pitch, similar to what Ilkay Gundogan offers. In this regard, Fermin perfectly fits the profile that Xavi values—a threat from the offensive half-space in the second line who can attack the box and be a danger in and around it.
Displayed above are Fermin’s pass and progressive pass statistics for all his games in the 2023/24 season. While the sample size is relatively small, it enhances the clarity of the graphs. In his role as the right center-midfielder, it’s apparent that the majority of his passes originate in the right half-space. These passes primarily serve the purpose of recycling and retaining possession or facilitating deliveries. Fermin isn’t known for high-volume passing, and most of his passes consist of simple one-twos with his back to the goal or longer passes, including switches and precise deliveries into open spaces or the box itself. This aspect of his play is of significant value, aligning closely with Xavi’s preferences.
Following the pre-season victory over Real Madrid, Xavi stated in a press conference, ‘He is a talented footballer who knows how to provide that crucial final pass, a quality he was missing last season.’
During the 2022/23 season, Fermin tallied five assists across all competitions, which, when viewed in isolation, may not appear highly impressive. Nevertheless, there is evident potential for even greater achievement. This can be inferred by examining his shot assist and progressive pass graphs from the 2022/23 season below.
Fermin is not known for being a high-volume progressor through passing. The volume of such passes also depends on the team’s ability to maintain possession and generate a high number of passes in the first place. When it comes to advancing play, Fermin tends to opt for carrying the ball, as we will explore further in this analysis. In terms of passing, he predominantly focuses on progressing through switches and delivering mid-to-long-range passes.
These passes often originate from the half-spaces, as depicted above, but can also come from the central section of the field, indicating that he deploys them from a slightly deeper position on average. An intriguing detail is the angle of his deliveries. While Fermin is proficient with both feet for shooting and passing, he has a preference for using his right foot in both scenarios. Starting from the left and cutting onto his right foot allows him to position his body optimally for a right-footed delivery.
We’ve already witnessed glimpses of Fermin’s ball-playing abilities in the 2023/24 season, even though they’ve been in small yet noticeable doses. What makes these moments particularly promising is that they aren’t isolated instances; we’ve seen him execute these maneuvers before, and it’s likely we’ll see them again in the future.
Let’s take this dink against Real Madrid as an example. In the first picture, we can observe Fermin executing the exact same move in one of last season’s games for Linares. Then, in the second picture, he replicates the move against Barcelona’s arch-rivals. The technique, performed with his right foot, is strikingly similar, indicating a recurring pattern and, consequently, a high degree of repeatability. This is excellent news for Xavi.
As part of his skill set, Fermin’s ability to interpret and exploit space is notable. We will delve deeper into this aspect in the second section of our scout report. In general, he exhibits well-timed runs and demonstrates an aptitude for recognizing where and how to position himself to receive passes and maintain the attack. While his role as the right center-midfielder in Xavi’s system can have a more expansive nature, with the introduction of the double pivot, the right center-midfielder is often positioned closer to the frontline rather than the backline.
Given this context, it’s not surprising to see Fermin using his runs to penetrate the half-space and employ his passing to connect with the forwards effectively.
The capacity to receive the ball under pressure, control it effectively, and swiftly distribute it is crucial for the role Fermin plays, and he excels in these aspects. While we’re eagerly awaiting his output to reach its full potential, with increased game time and more opportunities, it’s only a matter of time before we see him truly shine.
Nonetheless, it’s important to note that output isn’t solely measured in terms of assists and chance creation…
Fermin Lopez’s Goal-Scoring Instincts and Box Presence
While technical excellence is commonplace at La Masia and Barcelona, it’s Fermin’s presence in the attacking zones that could potentially set him apart and make him a key figure in Xavi’s squad. This aspect of his profile is what distinguishes him and makes him a valuable asset. In the previous season, the 20-year-old managed to score a total of 12 goals in various competitions, clearly signaling to his future coach in Catalonia that there’s much more to his skill set than just technical quality.
Furthermore, when examining his shot map, it becomes evident that Fermin possesses remarkable instincts in the box, and these instincts are beautifully complemented by his movement and ability to strike the ball.
Scoring 12 goals from 8.88 expected goals (xG) and 84 shots is an impressive accomplishment, resulting in a slight overperformance and an average of 0.11 xG per shot. This places him in the proficient category. To provide some context, let’s compare this with other players: De Jong scored two goals from 3.35 xG and 19 shots, equating to 0.18 xG per shot. Pedri netted six goals from 3.55 xG and 21 shots, resulting in 0.17 xG per shot, while Gavi tallied two goals from 3.07 xG and 26 shots, yielding 0.12 xG per shot.
The higher xG per shot values for the first two players can be attributed to their lower shot volumes and, in Pedri’s case, a significant overperformance. In contrast, a player like Gundogan had 0.12 xG per shot in the 2022/23 season with Manchester City, with an even lower shot volume of 48 attempts. Therefore, Fermin’s statistics compare favorably. Generally, it’s worth noting that the more shots a player takes, the lower their xG per shot value tends to be. While exceptions exist, this is the typical relationship between these two metrics in an average scenario.
However, when examining Fermin’s shot locations, it’s evident that his goals primarily originate from high xG value opportunities. This indicates his ability to position himself effectively, being in the right place at the right time. Timing and movement are crucial factors contributing to his success in this regard.
Here, we have an excellent sequence from the Sevilla game in which Fermin positions himself well but unfortunately doesn’t manage to score a goal. Let’s break it down starting with the first image. Take note of how he carefully assesses the positioning and movements of Sevilla’s defenders. This moment is crucial as it’s when he decides where the available space will be. To give the defenders a false sense of security, he deliberately slows down his run before abruptly accelerating in the second image, just as the other defenders begin to focus on Lamine Yamal to the right.
Fermin strategically places himself between the defenders, receives the ball with precision, controls it expertly, and swiftly turns with his first touch. He then attempts a finish with his second touch. Regrettably, the shot lacked significant power and was saved. However, this sequence provides insight into his decision-making in such situations. Interestingly, part of the reason for the shot’s failure can be attributed to his use of the left foot.
In an earlier interview discussed in this analysis, Xavi acknowledged Fermin’s ambipedal nature. He mentioned, “He scored a worldie with his left foot and then assisted Ferran with the right foot, so he can use both feet. He also can play in multiple roles from a winger to a central midfielder. This whole package is not easy to find. I like him a lot. He is full of personality.”
While it’s true that Fermin possesses ambipedal capabilities, he still has a preference for his right foot. During his time at Linares, he played as an inverted left-winger for this very reason, allowing him better angles to receive the ball and cut inside for a right-footed shot.
Let’s examine this sequence as an example. Fermin receives the ball on the left side of the pitch, proceeds to dribble it until he reaches the edge of the penalty area, and then cuts inside to position himself for a right-footed attempt on goal. In this scenario, the angles are much more favorable for him, allowing for better execution. This is where comparisons with players like Felix, Olmo, or Grealish arise. Fermin, as a left-winger, can both maintain possession with his technical prowess and deliver output when he cuts inside onto his right foot.
However, it’s worth noting that we also need to consider his dribbling and carrying abilities. While we discussed how Fermin isn’t a high-volume passer, he prefers to run with the ball at his feet. These progressive carries and penetrating carries are crucial elements of his offensive toolkit, as illustrated in the graph below.
Indeed, due to his extensive experience on the left, most of Fermin’s carries tend to originate from that side, particularly in the half-space. It’s from this position that he often embarks on those trademark intricate runs into the box. What’s interesting, though, is his proficiency in playing out of pressure with progressive carries, a skill akin to players like De Jong or Gavi. However, considering that Barcelona already has these two handling deep progression, Fermin’s skill set may be more effectively deployed in advanced areas where he can directly attack the penalty area.
A crucial point to consider is how he performs when closely marked. During his time with the first team, he occasionally struggled when faced with opponents consistently applying tight pressure, resulting in the occasional loose touch upon receiving the ball. Nonetheless, he generally handles such situations adeptly; he’s accustomed to dribbling out of pressure, even when faced with multiple opponents.
You’re absolutely correct; as Fermin progresses to higher levels of competition, his ability to perform these dribbles will need to continue to improve. Dribbling at Linares and doing it in La Liga are indeed distinct challenges, and some degree of struggle is expected as he makes the transition.
Nevertheless, what’s noteworthy about Fermin’s dribbling is how effectively it can be combined with a final pass or an attempt at goal. This was often the case during his time at Linares, and it will be fascinating to observe how he translates this ability to the grand stage while playing for Barcelona.
Once again, his deployment on the left side of the pitch, either as the left center-midfielder (LCM) or a left-winger (LW), greatly assisted him. Fermin would receive the ball wide and then proceed to dribble toward the outside, creating the ideal angle for a right-footed delivery to a teammate making a run into space. If he can replicate this level of final ball efficiency for the senior team, it would indeed be an incredible asset for Xavi’s squad.
Nurtured Talent and Promising Future Under Xavi
It’s truly remarkable to witness La Masia continuing to produce such talented individuals. Fermin can be considered a “late bloomer,” or perhaps it took someone of Xavi’s caliber to recognize his true potential.
As Xavi emphasized in the preseason, Fermin possesses hunger and a strong character, qualities that are essential in football. This recognition prompted Xavi to give him opportunities, and Fermin has delivered on that trust. Under Xavi’s guidance, there’s no doubt that Fermin can achieve a lot in his career.
Even though, at 20 years old, he might be seen as “old” in today’s football standards and expectations, it’s important to remember that he’s still a young player. He should be given the chance to enjoy his youth and continue developing. His time will undoubtedly come, and with Xavi as his coach, there is every reason to be optimistic about his future.
