FC Barcelona’s pre-season has been shaped by the absences of the internationals who played at the World Cup and the resulting influx of young academy players into the first team.
Among the players currently working under the coach, several have pleasantly surprised him.
One of them, according to MARCA, happens to be Xavi Espart, whom the coach sees as a top-level player.
The German coach had promoted the 19-year-old right-back to the first team last season, and Espart featured in six matches: two in the Champions League and four in La Liga.
This summer, however, he has confirmed both his excellent current form and his considerable potential.
He started against Birmingham and was again named in the starting XI for both matches in the triangular tournament against Udinese and Nottingham Forest. The young defender was among Barça’s standout performers in all three games.
Impressing Flick. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
A versatile star
The Spain Under-19 international joined Barcelona in the summer of 2015 from UE Vilassar de Mar, as a first-year youth player.
He has won Flick over not only with his versatility, having settled at full-back during his Juvenil years after previously playing in midfield, but also with his style of play and personality.
Defensively, he stands out for his aggression and confidence in duels, composure, speed, coolness and positioning.
He also offers considerable attacking qualities: his ability to carry the ball forward, combine with wingers, find spaces and stretch the pitch.
A first-team player for the coming season
Set to be a first-team player. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Many of the academy players working with Flick this summer face uncertain futures. However, that is not the case with Espart, who is under contract until 2028, and will stay at Barcelona.
The 19-year-old right-back has made such an impression that the German head coach has decided to back him for the first-team squad in the coming season over Hector Fort.
The 20-year-old right-back spent the last season on loan at Elche and returned with the ambition of establishing himself in the Catalans’ senior team.
But, such has been Espart’s impact that Fort is now on his way out, with a move to Borussia Dortmund seeming likely.