Czech Scout Questions Association's Pursuit of Barcelona's Orian Goren
Czech data scout Antonin Schrayer has criticized his national association's attempt to recruit Barcelona youngster Orian Goren, arguing that players without genuine cultural ties should not be targeted.
The battle between Israel and the Czech Republic over young talent Orian Goren has concluded, at least for now, with the Barcelona youngster deciding to represent the Israeli national team. However, the move has sparked debate in the Czech Republic, with data scout Antonin Schrayer openly questioning the Czech Football Association's efforts to recruit a player whose connection to the country is limited to family roots.
In a recent interview, Schrayer—founder of a project dedicated to scouting Czech players worldwide and a data scout for Transfermarkt—criticized the pursuit of the midfielder, who currently plays for Barcelona Atlètic. He pointed out that Goren was born in Israel, his parents are Israeli, and his ties to the region date back to grandparents who left before World War II.
"Goren is Israeli, he was born there, both his parents are from Israel, and he only knows a few words of Czech," Schrayer stated. "His connection to Czechoslovakia runs through his grandparents, who left before World War II. Goren does not speak Czech, and trying to attract such a player simply because he plays at Barcelona's La Masia—to me, it makes no deep sense."
Despite the Czech FA's efforts to lure Goren, including offering him a spot in the senior squad, the young midfielder chose Israel. He was subsequently called up by manager Ran Ben Shimon for matches against Kosovo and Austria, though he was later released from the squad due to an injury.
Schrayer also addressed the broader trend in international football where federations scour the globe for dual-nationality players. He recalled FIFA's 2004 intervention when Qatar attempted to recruit Brazilian Bundesliga players, leading to stricter regulations requiring a genuine connection to the country.
