Helio del Busto, licensed football coach and sports analyst, reflects on the true value of a clinical eye in football: the ability to recognise talent, guide its development and understand the decisions that shape a player’s future.
There is no exact way to measure who the “best” is. What we do have is a mind to think and a language to express our opinions freely. I share mine, others share theirs, and all should be respected, because truth is never owned by a single person.
This year, who deserves the Ballon d’Or? It’s remarkable how far someone can go simply by believing —or how far they fail to go by not believing— in their own potential. And this brings two names to mind: Dembélé and Aitana.
Dembélé and the Turning Point Under Xavi
Not long ago, the French winger didn’t know —or didn’t want to know— that becoming a great athlete requires more than talent. It demands integrity, discipline, and commitment to the daily work that shapes a professional. Those habits improve the player but also those around them.
When Dembélé joined Barcelona, something unusual appeared: behaviours far from the standards of a professional. Turning up to training when the session was nearly over, or missing it because “the alarm didn’t ring.” Xavi brought him back to reality. From being left out of the starting lineup, he became an important player. Few had truly seen what he carried inside: extraordinary qualities, the kind that belong to an exceptional footballer.
And so a question emerges: is the great player we see today —now a Ballon d’Or winner— the result of growth, or was he always a top talent that simply wasn’t used properly? Even back then, Dembélé produced technical actions that showed the traits of a genuine star.
The Value of a True Clinical Eye
Under Xavi, Barcelona wanted to renew his contract because he was about to become a free agent. Credit goes to the coach: he guided him, understood his potential and recognised that he had one of the world’s most gifted players in his squad.
And that wasn’t Xavi’s only success. He was also the coach who gave Lamine his debut at just fifteen, against Betis, still registered as a youth player. The academy staff believed in him, but it took courage to put him in a first-team match at that age. Xavi had that courage.
So, how much is a good clinical eye worth when identifying talent in a youth system? The answer is simple: it increases the value of the squad and brings enormous sporting and financial benefits to the club.
And another question: is it worthwhile for a club to have people capable of spotting future stars? The answer is equally clear: yes.
Xavi did not renew his contract with Barcelona.
Licensed football coach and sports analyst