We cannot repeat Bojan mistakes with Deulofeu, says Barcelona B boss

Aug 14, 2012 8:20:00 AM

The young attacker is regarded as one of Catalan giants' brightest prospects, but they are in no rush to promote him to the first team, according to reserve trainer Jordi Mestre

Barcelona B coach Jordi Mestre insists the club will not throw Gerard Deulofeu into the deep end, as they do not want to replicate their past misjudgment of Bojan Krkic.

The forward was regarded as one of the biggest talents to have ever come through La Masia, but the 21-year-old struggled to live up to expectations and left Camp Nou for Roma last summer.

Barca are determined to avoid a similar scenario with Deulofeu, and are not in a rush to promote the gifted youngster to the first team.

"It is difficult to keep a player who excels in the youth academy away from all the media attention surrounding this great club, and protect them against the agents circling around," Mestre told Mundo Deportivo.

"We have to bear in mind that Deulofeu only recently turned 18, and we must make sure the history of Bojan doesn't repeat itself.

"Letting him make his debut at the age of 16 was perhaps a mistake. We have to take things slowly. The coaches realise that in Gerard's case."

Deulofeu made his official first-team debut for Barca in October 2011.

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