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ANTONIO BARRAGÁN FERNANDEZ
Squad Number 07/08: 19
Date of Birth: 12 June, 1987
Nationality: Spain
Contract: 2006 - 2011
Transfer: €1 million (2006)
Previous Clubs: Liverpool (2005-2006), Sevilla (1996-2005)
Buy-out Clause: €2 million (only applies to Liverpool in 2008)
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 76 kg
Positions: Defender/Midfielder (right)
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BARRAGÁN is a highly promising young Spanish defender who was signed from Liverpool in the summer of 2006 and is destined to become a pillar of a new era in La Coruña. At the right side he won the European Championship with the Spanish sub-19 team and he now forms part of the sub-21 team. At Deportivo he slowly is taking over the role of Manuel Pablo.
Despite his young age (he’s only 19), Barragán already has experienced something in the world of football. He was born in Galicia (Pontedeume) and raised in Andalucía, where he played in the youth system of Sevilla FC from 1996 on. Both Barragán and Caparrós coincided at that club, but Spanish coach Rafael Benítez of Liverpool signed him in July 2005 despite he never had played a match in the Primera División nor even had he played a match at Sevilla B. At the end of the 2004/2005 campaign he rejected the chance to sign a professional contract in Sevilla to opt for the new challenge at Anfield Road. Rafa Benítez was impressed with Barragán and the youngster conformed the list of Spanish reinforcements that the coach prepared during his arrival to Liverpool, a list that included the names of Reina, Luis García, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Morientes.
His sole first-team appearance came at Liverpool during the season 2005/2006 and was in the preliminary rounds of the UEFA Champions League against CSKA Sofia. He never played in the Premiership, but Barragán (18 back then) was a regular in the line-ups of the B-squad. However, this became complicated as he underwent keyhole surgery on a torn cartilage in his right knee. He returned to the pitch during the first months of 2006 and he did it with style. A few weeks later his best moment in the squad occurred. It was at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground on April 30, 2006: Barragán gave Liverpool Reserves a deserved 1-0 victory over Manchester United with a stinging 20-yard drive. A fantastic goal that gave good sensations to the Reds fans.
The best characteristics of Barragán are his multifunctional skills. He can play as right winger, central defender and also as a right wingback. Skills that coach Caparrós always has appreciated a lot. The Utrera-born coach always felt that he lost an important promise when Benítez took him from Sevilla... but Caparrós would have a second opportunity. In 2006, Benítez was convinced that Barragán would be a player that will shine strongly in the future. But he also knew that the youngster would have small chances during the season 2006/2007 at Liverpool. For that reason he planned a loan spell in Spain for the player.
Caparrós was noticed about this fact and asked immediately for his signing. President Lendoiro also liked his condition of 'Galician player'; but Barragán left Galicia when he only was 2-years-old and only returned once. Nor has he family or friends over there, Barragán explained. Negotiations started during the summer market, although it was rumoured that the same player was rejected during negotiations for Víctor Sánchez the year before. Irureta’s Betis Sevilla were also seriously interested, but in the end it seems that Barragán chose to be with Caparrós. Finally, in July 2006 a deal with Liverpool was announced (personal agreement was already reached) when Barragán himself was playing the sub-19 European tournament in Poland. On 3 August, 2006 the player was officially presented in La Coruña.
Barragán signed a five-year contract with Deportivo in a operation that cost €1 million to the Galicians. However, Liverpool maintains a €2 million buy-back option over the player; this clause can be used in 2008. If Liverpool don’t take back Barragán by then, when he’s 21, they'll have another buy-back option in 2011. But at that moment his price will have increased.
As said, the main reason why he decided to sign at Deportivo is the presence of Capparós who he knows from Sevilla; a fact that he admitted when he accepted Depor's offer: "He (Caparrós) is a magnificent coach. I remember him very well when he was coaching Sevilla." Furthermore, Barragán added that he expects Deportivo “to play a good season and to finish well. I myself will fight for my place and won’t let down the people who have faith in me: Caparrós and Lendoiro.” Barragán compared himself, as a type of player, to Cicinho and Sergio Ramos.
The season started very well for Barragán as he started the first eight Liga matches of the season 2006/2007. The results accompanied him, because a young and completely renovated team were seventh back then. It earned Barragán his first call-up for the Spanish sub-21 squad. Besides, Barragán scored a fantastic goal against Real Sociedad when his team desperately needed one. Since these weeks, however, his season didn’t go that smoothly anymore. Small injuries and a loss of form saw him being dropped out of the team. He started just two other matches since and came on as a substitute during the final minutes of the Real Madrid match (2-0 win).
Caparrós decided to take things slowly with him and used Manuel Pablo instead. However, the right defending spot remains Barragán’s during Copa matches. His future looks bright.
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