Welcome to Barcelona : Fabio Blanco
Fabio Blanco Gómez was born on the 16th of February 2004 in Almería. Blanco joined Valencia in the summer of 2016, where he had already caught the eyes of many. In January of 2019, Blanco was called up to Spain U15, appearing on three occasions for the team while scoring once. After impressing with his youth teams and Spain U15s, in the summer he was promoted to Valencia’s U18 team, despite being only 15. Fabio continued to impress in Spain, with U16 coach Julen Guerrero calling him up to the squad.
During his time with Spain, Blanco managed to share a dressing room with some talented La Masia players like Ilias Akhomach, Diego Almeida, Fabian Luzzi, Gavi, Arnau Casas and Ángel Alarcón. With Spain U16s, Fabian scored a goal in 5 appearances while accumulating 241 minutes. His progression was noticed in Valencia, and the following season in 2020, he was promoted to Juvenil A, playing with players older than him. In the 20/21 season, he picked up 2 goals. The youngster attracted a lot of interest from massive clubs like Juventus, Real Madrid, Dortmund, and Barcelona with the player’s contract expiring in the summer of 2020.
Barcelona and especially Mateu Alemany were following his situation closely. Eventually, Fabio decided to join Frankfurt, who promised him a sporting project with first-team game time expectations. Fabio Blanco spent most of his season with U19s, playing 8 games, scoring twice and assisting once. However, disappointed not having opportunities in the first team, the player looked to leave his new club, with Barcelona reacting quickly to sign him in the January of 2022, where he will be playing for Barcelona B.
Playing style
Similar player: Ferran Torres
Fabio Blanco is a right-footed winger that can play on the right or left side. Fabio has excellent acceleration and sprint speed that he uses with his dribbling ability to beat defenders. He is a player with extraordinary agility and body balance that lets him powerfully defend the ball at his feet. Blanco has impressive technique. Combining it with his vision and passing ability, he is a great creator for his team. Finding his teammate with a through ball or providing a long ball to the other side of the pitch. That’s not a problem for him.
Fabio has a great work ethic and is willing to help in the defence. However, despite having good tackling ability, he needs to improve and understand whenever and whom to mark to limit opposition runs that cause dangerous chances against his team. While dribbling, Blanco likes to drift inside. But at times he can keep width, making him a difficult player to read for the defenders. One of the most significant weaknesses of the winger is the aerial battles, be it duels or heading the ball. Fabio Blanco has excellent ability on the ball. Therefore, I would not be surprised to see him more centrally during his career, be it at attacking midfielder or as a false “9”.
Future at the club
Fabio Blanco will join the club with a contract until 2024. As per some rumours and Frankfurt fans reactions, Fabio has a bad attitude. Therefore, it will be a big task for Sergi Barjuan to handle such a player. Compared to Emre Demir, who will have a long-term contract with the club, his signing shows that Fabio is signed to develop and help Barcelona B in their goals, and he is not expected to be an investment for the first team. However, Fabio Blanco is still considered an immense talent, and it will be entertaining to see his journey in the Blaugrana colours.
Potential Rating: 8/10
