La Masia XI: A team of former La Masia graduates who are doing well at other clubs this season ~ Footy Geek

La Masia is home of FC Barcelona's youth squads. The objective of La Masia has been to play attacking football by keeping the ball and passing around. Many greats like Xavi, Messi, Iniesta, Guardiola, etc have been part of the famed youth academy of Barcelona.

We will now look at a team of eleven players who have played for Barcelona's youth sides previously and are now excelling at other clubs this season.

1. Pepe Reina-Goal keeper (Napoli)

A former Barcelona goalkeeper, Pepe Reina found much of success playing with Liverpool in England. But now, back at Napoli after a previous loan spell, he is back to his best playing well for Napoli after a horror spell with Bayern Munich where he found his playing time limited, who are second in the Italian Serie A. He has kept an impressive 11 clean sheets and conceded just 20 goals in 25 Serie A games so far.

2. Hector Bellerin-Right back (Arsenal)

Arsenal bought Hector Bellerin along with Jon Toral from Barcelona back in 2011, but he hasnt made his debut until 2013. Already a starter at Arsenal at the age of 20. he has managed to kept Debuchy of the Arsenal squad. Bellerin has reasserted his claim for the Gunner's right-back spot this year with consistent solid performances, utilising his pace to combine with Arsenal's wingers. Probably one of the best right backs in the Premier League this season.

3. Fernando Navarro-Center Back (Deportivo la Coruna)

A veteran at 33, Navarro has spent most of his career at Sevilla. He moved to deportivo at the start of the season. A versaitle defender who can play at center back and also as a left back, Navarro has bought experience and quality to the Depor backline that has been leaking goals last season. Their consistent performances have put them in the top half of the table in La Liga.

4. Sergi Gomez-Center Back (Celta Vigo)

Sergi Gómez spent four years in the youth system and a further four years playing for Barça B. In 2015 summer, he left Barcelona for Celta Vigo, and things have being going grand for him in Galicia. Manager Eduardo Berizzo seems to be finding a place for him in his plans, either at the center of the park or at full back. He has made 15 Liga appearences this season for a Celta side who are eighth in La Liga.

5. Carles Planas-Left Back (Celta Vigo)

Another Celta player in the Eleven, Carles Planas, the 24 year old spent fifteen years in the Barça academy and played 120 games for the B team, left for Galicia in 2014. Often used as a substitute due to the presence of Jonny, he still racked up 15 appearances in all competitons this season.

6. Thiago Alcantara-Central Midfield (Bayern Munich)

Thiago mad his barcelona debut in the 2011/12 season, with Pep Guardiola on the bench. The midfielder played a total of 45 matches that season, and he scored four goals. FC Barcelona won the European Super Cup, the Spanish Super Cup and the Club World Cup that year. The next season, the player featured in fewer matches – 36 games, in which he scored 3 goals – mainly due to injury. He also helped the team win the 2012/13 Liga title. He then followed Pep Guardiola to Bayern Munich. Always a starte under Guardiola at Bayern when fit, Thiago is known for his touch, composure in possession, link-up play, leadership, ability in the final third.

7. Jonathan Dos Santos-Central Midfield (Villareal)

Jonathan Dos Santos left FC Barcelona after 12 years at the Club in 2014 to Villareal.A player who can play anywhere in midfield, Dos Santos is known for his crossing, passing and also contributes significantly in defensive positions. He has been a regualr starter at Villareal who are targeting top 4 finish are currently in 4th place in La liga.

8. Gerard Deulofeu-Right Wing (Everton)

Barcelona must be regretting their decision to sell Gerard Deulofeu. The youngster is ripping up the Premier League thanks to some top-class performances for Everton this season, and manager Roberto Martinez is evidently getting the very best out of the youngster. The midfielder already has 2 goals and 9 assists in 17 league games for Everton this season.

9. Bojan-Attacking Midfielder (Stoke City)

Bojan shattered all goalscoring records in Barcelona’s La Masia academy before scoring 41 goals for the first team by the age of 21. But he couldn't cope with great expectations and pressure at Barcelona. After a few unsuccesful loan spells, he went to Stoke. Now at Stoke, he is once again starting to form a formidable partnership with Arnautovic and Shaqiri.

10. Balde Keita-Left Wing (Lazio)

The 21-year-old forward was nurtured in the Barcelona academy before leaving Barca after playing a prank - putting an ice cube in a teammate's bed - on tour in Qatar with the youth team. Keita is a quick and tricky dribbler, who likes cutting infield onto his stronger side. Thw winger has played 20 games in Serie A this season with 4 goals and 2 assists.

11. Antonio Sanabria-Striker (Sporting Gijon)

Sporting signed Sanabria on loan from Roma in the summer and he has already bagged two hat-tricks and scored 10 goals in just 15 Liga games. The first of which made him the youngest player to score three goals in one game in La Liga at 19 years and 277 days. Of the players with 10+ goals in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season, Sanabria has the best conversion rate (37%). This shows he is one of the best former barca attackers beside Icardi who himself has scored 10 goals this season in Serie A.