How does that matter? Fabregas and Pique had technical talent in abundance at a young age but rounded that out with their physical development in England - exactly the same as Deulofeu now. The nature of the transfer is irrelevant, a loan over two years is the exact same as a transfer for two years and being bought back.
The discussion was about the success or value of loans, particularly when it comes to Barcelona....The nature of it is indeed relevant because one is voluntary, the other is not....Cesc & Piqué would've developed into Barcelona starters had they stayed...They broadened their games a bit abroad but it was never the intention of the club to have them go anywhere nevermind develop differently than originally intended...Fabregas has had to relearn concepts he lost while at Arsenal (Gone for 8 years), he's currently the least technically skilled midfielder the club has in the 1st team (Not including Song or Mascherano)...And Gerard never even got a starting role at United, that didn't happen until he returned to Barcelona 4 years later
No one is debating the value of learning new concepts or broadening your game through different exposures but there is another perspective that's been ignored and that's learning, reinforcing and sharpening the philosophy of the club's play by staying to develop at the club...A club that has every youth team down to 8 year olds playing the same way
As I said before, Deulofeu's loan was an exception...There hasn't been a big talent of Gerard's caliber to leave on loan to develop anywhere before him, ever...It was a first and the reason?...Because Neymar was coming in and their forward depth was already deep...But that will likely change this summer
And for those who don't agree he's been dominant, feel free to disagree...But by dominant I merely mean he has created danger everytime he's come onto a match...Think about how many forward players in the world create constant danger on the ball and you'll find Deulofeu is in select company
