I have to say I'm really disappointed in this piece by Graham Hunter. In fact I'll go so far as to call it inaccurate when he talks about Alena coming on and who exactly the crowd was booing considering he's suggested it is in part at least Alena himself. Having watched the match I didn't take it as the crowd booing Alena at all. I took it as the crowd booing Vidal considering some of his comments or as Hunter does not Vidal coming off ahead of Coutinho. However he is correct as I have been told about the Xavi/Guardiola example. Tying this to it is rather ridiculous though.
I also think the Madrid example is pretty laughable. Yes, Madrid has definitely produced some good players in recent years (thought that's not something new). However a lot of their younger guys have been bought, which to be fair Hunter notes, and overall when you put everything into context I wouldn't say there is a glaring difference in playing time. Also, Barça have invested a lot in younger players too recently. Barça still has a lot of homegrown players in the first team, and could have more but do not for various reasons as I have noted for years now, and have invested heavily in younger players in recent times if you consider ter Stegen, Umtiti, Dembele, Arthur, Malcolm, Semedo and Lenglet.
Anyway, just found it interesting considering what I've seen come from Hunter in the past as it just strikes me as a really lazy piece to fill column inches. Also found it interesting considering the comments in this thread the past day or two.
Real Madrid find rich vein of talent as Barca's well runs dry
