Cameroon midfielder, Wilfrid Kaptoum, (19 year old, Douala) is one of the players with the most expectations on his shoulders at Barcelona at the moment.

His talent caught the attention as soon as he arrived at La Masia. Here we take a look at some things of interest from his career to date after his goal against Valencia.

1) AN INTROVERT

The coaches who have worked with him agree on one thing: Kaptoum is the most timid of all the players that arrived from the Eto’o Foundation. He’s an introvert, preferring to listen than to speak, although in the last few years he’s began to change. His discretion off the pitch in constrast with his performances when he’s on the pitch.

2) FAN OF INIESTA

“All the first team players are great, but if I had to choose one for my position, I would say Iniesta. I have a similar profile to him and he also came through La Masia, with the values that he demonstrates. He is a great person and a great player.” Despite being a fan of Andres, he also has some similar moves to Xavi Hernandez. Puyol is also one of his idols.

3) IVAN DE LA PEÑA, AGENT AND FRIEND

The former Barça player is Kaptoum’s agent, but he’s also been one of the most important people during one of the most complicated moments of his career. Muscle injuries halted his progress and De la Peña stuck by him. He offered psychological support when it was most needed.

“I never despaired. I was good mentally thanks to the help of my family and the team. Everything worked out perfectly, thanks to the medics, as I’ve said before, and I’m really grateful for that. I also want to say thanks to my representative for his support and for things turning out well in the end. I’ve had to work hard to achieve what I have,” the midfielder remembered.

4) GARCÍA PIMIENTA, HIS FAVOURITE COACH

When Kaptoum was in Juvenil B with the current assistant manager of Barça B, they had a long chat. During this talk, the midfielder explained that he felt more comfortable further forward, a position which was already occupied.

Interestingly, against Valencia he scored as a false nine, although he does play from deeper still and arrive late. “I worked with him in the youth categories and I’ve learned a lot from him. He’s been really important for my evolution,” the youngster has said.

5) THE DAY HE WENT IN GOAL

When he was playing or Infantil A, he offered to play as a goalkeeper in the final of a tournament when the only goalkeeper available got injured. The day before the final, the coach Andres Carrasco asked his players who would accept the challenge of playing in goal if necessary. And with a smile on his face, Kaptoum said he would love to. He saved a penalty from Madrid’s Pozo in the shoot out and Barça won the tournament.

6) THE NICKNAME ‘ZIDANE’

When he was still at the Eto’o Foundation, he was handed the nickname ‘Zidane’ because he reminded people of the Real Madrid coach. His control of the ball and his attacking instinct welcomed the comparison.

At La Masia he has been compared to Thiago Alcántara, a player he shares many technical attributes with.

7) HIS ACHILLES HEEL

Since he arrived at Barça, the coaches have told him he has to work harder on the defensive and physical side of his game.

“Technically he is very good, but we have to insist he does more defensively, because he can get distracted. He doesn’t need to force himself too much because at this level he’s OK…. He likes to drive with the ball, but we will have to wait for Juveniles, when it’s more physcial, to see how far he can go,” one coach reported when Kaptoum was a Cadete.

8) TATA’S INTEREST

Tata Martino used the Cameroon youngster as an example of the good work being done at La Masia. Luis Enrique has also spoke well of him (“He is a player with an interesting profile for Barça,” he said) and Gerard Lopez assures he is a “different” player who can make it in the first team.

9) ON LOAN AT SANT ANDREU

When he arrived at the club in 2008, he began to train with Alevin A, who were coached by Andrés Carrasco, but soon went on loan to Sant Andreu.
He returned to Barça, though, and played in the prestigious Brunete tournament, where he stood out with another Cameroonian: Enguene. However, a couple of weeks ago Enguene left for Antalyaspor.

10) A ‘COAST TO COAST’ TO REMEMBER

Our SPORT colleague Josep Capdevila explains that a goal he scored against Espanyol when he was in the Infantil side is considered one of the best scored at La Masia in recent years.

It occurred in the Catalan derby, with the title up for grabs. A corner in Espanyol’s favour was half cleared and fell to Kaptoum, who ran from ‘coast to coast’ – one area to the other – on an elegant run and finished the move with a goal. Barça would end up winning 4-1.