Blackburn's Rochina: For Spanish players, it's Real Madrid, Barcelona or the Premier League

Blackburn Rovers striker Ruben Rochina is grateful for his education at Barcelona.

Rochina is coming up to his first anniversary away from Barca.

"Being at Barcelona is the best football school you can be at," said Rochina. "Everything there is the best. Best coaches and players, facilities and a very clear philosophy of how football should be played. I don't need to tell you that it works because the results of the Masia are clear to see with Barcelona's first team.

"Barcelona taught me to become a footballer, but I've been very impressed with training at Blackburn, too."

Of his decision to leave last January, Rochina also told The National: "I faced a choice.

"I stayed at Barcelona B without any real hope of getting in the first team because the players ahead of me were the best in the world, or I moved. I had played for my country [Spain] at three different age levels and for Barca's first team in pre-season games, but never a competitive match.

"I felt I was better than a second division player, but I was not going to get a chance at Barcelona. If you are not going to play for Barcelona or Real Madrid, then the English Premier League is the best place to play football. When I got the [four-year] offer from Blackburn, it was too good to turn down and I decided to leave."