Xavi Vilajoana: The desire is for Valverde to use more academy players

Barcelona director Xavi Vilajoana has told SPORT the club's "desire" is for more players to jump from the academy into the first team this season. 

Ernesto Valverde is going into his second season in charge of the first team and the idea is for the likes of Carles Alena to be incorporated into his squad. 

"That's the desire we have at the club [to promote more players], but obviously that doesnt just depend on one thing," Vilajoana said. 

"The players themselves have to earn a place in the first team or Barça B. I always say the same thing, the club doesn't want anything more than for players to grow as much as possible. But it's like everything.

"I always say the same to the kids in the academy: 'This is reciprocal.' If they keep progressing, if they earn their place, if they're competing and growing, Barça, the club, won't stop them growing and reaching the first team.

"But like I have said before, the first team coach wants the best for the first team and, for that reason, if he sees players ready to debut in the first team, I have no doubt that's what he will do."