Kluivert: Young players who leave for money don't respect Barcelona

Patrick Kluivert has indicated that leaving the Barcelona youth teams in search of money shows a lack of respect towards the club on the part of young players.

The Dutchman returned to the Catalans last July as the club's new director of youth football to boost the evolution of the academy.

In an interview for MARCA, Kluivert also discussed Ansu Fati's playing time and Barcelona youth players' salary policy.

Q. What exactly is your job?

A. My role is that things are done well with players who are at a crucial age, 15 or 16 years old. And also that all teams are well organised.

Q. We imagine that you also supervise signings.

A. Yes, yes, that too. I check the players who interest us, but they always have to be better than the ones who are already here. Why would I bring guys from outside if there is a lot of talent here and it doesn't improve on what we have? We make reports, we look for footballers who fit our profile, the Barcelona profile, and if all those reports are good, we try to incorporate them.

Q. What arguments can Barcelona use to keep players when there are other clubs with more money that want to get them?

A. The boys of La Masia have the best training in the world. They should not leave just for money, especially young people aged 15 or 16 who are ready to sign their first professional contract. There are other great clubs that can offer you more money, but to improve a player until the age of 18, Barcelona are the best club there is. And not only do we help them grow as football players, but also as people, because we teach them to respect the values of life.

Q. Would you have renewed Ilaix Moriba's contract under the conditions that it was renewed, with so much money?

A. I wasn't [here], I can't say yes or no. The financial effort must be small, but in some cases it can happen.

Q. Do you have a limit?

A. Yes. We can't keep all the players we would like. There are times when those around the player seek more money than his projection as a footballer. And for us that is the most important thing: the player and his projection within the club.

Q. How do you tell a kid who is not going to make it at Barcelona that his dream has ended?

A. It does not mean that your dream is over. Maybe at this club, but your dream may still be alive. And maybe they can come back later.

Q. Can a player return to Barcelona after they have left?

A. Yes. We had a footballer who left because he was very small, we got him back at Barcelona and nothing happened. Now, if you go for money, that is something else. The door is not closed at all, but we only leave a small opening. If he goes for money, it means he doesn't respect the club that wants to help him grow.

Q. Why is it so hard for loanees to return?

A. I don't know the reason. The level at Barcelona is very high and when a player leaves another is found.

Q. Why didn't Victor Valdes return work?

A. Many things have already been said. It is a negative page for us, for everyone. I prefer not to say anything.

Q. Is it the worst thing that happened to you since your return?

A. Yes. It was bad for him, for me and for the club.

Q. How do you manage the Carles Alena situation, a player who got into the first team but barely plays?

A. I answered that question with Riqui Puig and [my response] was exaggerated. Riqui Puig, Carles Alena... all the players who have reached the first team are very good. But if the players are at 100 percent and they have no spot, I believe that going on loan and then returning stronger is better. That's my point of view.

Q. Maybe it's because they see it as a step back.

A. You may see it that way, but it is not a step back. Psychologically, they may think it is, but it is not. It is a step forward in their progression as footballers.

Q. Another player now struggling to get minutes is Ansu Fati. Is it a challenge to be strong psychologically to endure his opportunities even if they come in drips?

A. Ansu is 17 years old, very young, and has a lot of quality. He has already played some important games, but if he does not have continuity he can play some games with the B team. In fact, it would be very good because when the first team requires it, he will have a rhythm through matches.

Q. In his case, if he doesn't play, would a move be good too?

A. Ansu Fati will stay at the club. That's clear.

Q. But if Neymar arrives, will it be very complicated for Ansu?

A. Neymar did not come. And the one who is at the club now is Ansu Fati, who is a very strong boy, who works very well, who I love very much and who has a very well furnished brain. Neymar is at Paris Saint-Germain and Ansu is here.

Q. Besides Riqui Puig or Ansu Fati, are there other players who can make the leap?

A. There is a lot of talent, in many positions. But it is not for me to name names, it will depend on the needs of the first team.

Q. Do you think we will see an XI full of academy products again?

A. Ugh, may be. Of course. But that was an amazing team, with spectacular individual players. It will be difficult, but we will try.

Q. There is much talk about the possibility of Ronald Koeman being the coach next season. You know him well. Do you think he has the personality to make decisions in this squad that needs revamping?

A. I don't like talking about other coaches, you have to respect the one who is here now. But I think Koeman is a very good coach, as he is demonstrating with Holland. Although at this time we shouldn't talk about these things, they are in the future.

Q. How about Valverde's management with regards to the academy?

A. I speak with [Barcelona's sporting director] Eric Abidal and he speaks with Valverde. This is how we work. He tries to count on the young players, as you can see.

Q. You spoke to Matthijs de Ligt in summer, but the cente-back went to Juventus. What do you think made him choose the Italian team?

A. He is a very good player, he showed it at Ajax and is doing it now in Juventus. But in the end everyone makes their choice.

Q. Were you asked about the signing of Frenkie De Jong?

A. I told them that he can contribute a lot to the team, and he is showing just that. He can still give more, because this is his first year, which is always the one of adaptation, and even more in such a huge team with so many stars. He is outstanding. I'm not surprised.