Noah Darvich to Barcelona emphasizes the Bundesliga's struggle with developing talent

In Noah Darvich, Freiburg have lost one of the most promising talents of an upcoming golden generation to Barcelona. That transfer is both a warning but also a beacon of hope for German football.

There was a sense of disappointment at SC Freiburg when it became official that Noah Darvich, one of Germany’s most promising talents, was going to leave the club’s academy and join Barcelona. “In financial terms, the boys have countless role models,” Freiburg head coach Christian Streich said before the transfer was made official. “When a 16-year-old sees what is going on in football, how is he supposed to keep a clear head?”

Freiburg’s sporting director, Klemens Hartenbach, also didn’t mince his words when speaking about Darvich’s transfer to the Catalan giants but also left the door open for a potential return. “We showed Noah and his family a clear path and perspective at Freiburg, but his decision went a different direction,” Hartenbach said. “We hope that he can fulfill the expectations at Barcelona —and wish him all the best. The doors at Freiburg are never fully closed, only ajar.”  

From a financial standpoint, Freiburg certainly cannot complain. The team based in Breisgau received an initial €2.5 million, and the deal can grow to €5m should certain performance-based metrics be met. But while that sort of money goes a long way for a smaller club like Freiburg, the €1 billion release clause in Darvich’s contract indicates the enormous talent of the 16-year-old attacking midfielder.

It will, of course, take some time to see whether Darvich will develop into a top talent and whether the €5m invested by Barça will turn out to be a steal. But — and this might sound odd — there is a chance that Darvich is more likely to fulfil his potential at Barça than at a Bundesliga club.