Xavi Espart has started FC Barcelona’s first three matches of the season at left-back, but he can play in midfield or on the right as well. His rise in the team at just 19 years of age means Barcelona have to make decisions about who will lose out if he continues starting.
The Catalan club brought back João Cancelo after his loan expired, ostensibly to be the starting left-back as he was last season. Interestingly, both of them can play on either flank. Espart is right-footed, and may play on the left,
whereas Cancelo is theoretically more of a left-back, though he’s two-footed. You could just as easily flip the two, depending on your strategy. Eric Garcia has been the starting right-back to this point.
Espart’s ascent played a role in Marc Casadó leaving on loan, and it may result in Alejandro Balde’s exit, too. Meanwhile, his release clause is reportedly set to be raised with a new contract. The message is clear: Espart is here to stay.
Known as a more defensive full-back option, Espart has nonetheless provided two assists in Barcelona’s opening two games. Manager Hansi Flick clearly has a lot of trust in the academy graduate, and there are rumors that he will graduate from Spain’s U19 team to play with the FIFA World Cup champions at some point in the near future.
He joined La Masia when he was around 8 years old and has risen through the ranks. Now that he’s debuted and started three La Liga games, who would bet against him?
