It’s become increasingly harder to think of Barcelona’s starting XI without the presence of Xavi Espart, who has played every second of football for Hansi Flick so far and looks like a perfect fit for the left-back position in the coach’s formation to begin the season.
Espart has been very impressive since preseason playing three different positions at a very high level and has made the left-back spot his so far, which is forcing Flick to think outside the box to fit one of his favorite players, João
Cancelo, into the lineup.
According to reporting from Catalan media this week, Flick has experimented with Cancelo at right-back in training to keep Espart in the lineup, giving the team two attack-minded full-backs.
Flick has always preferred a more defensive-minded right-back with previous center-back experience, like Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia, but he’s been willing to try a more offensive look with Cancelo in that role.
Cancelo has plenty of experience as a right-back for club and country in his past, and could be a lethal partner for Lamine Yamal on the right wing while Espart plays on the other side with a more inverted focus to give Anthony Gordon even more space on the left wing.
It’s certainly a look worth exploring in training, and it remains to be seen if and when Flick will be ready to try it in a game.
So today’s Barca Blaugranes Question of the Day is:
Should João Cancelo and Xavi Espart be Barcelona’s starting full-backs?
Now it’s over to you! Feel free to share your teams, thoughts, opinions and answers in the comments section below!
