- Manager Hansi Flick hinted that Xavi Espart could make this starting FC Barcelona debut against Sevilla.
- The Vilassar de Mar native grew up just four kilometres from Lamine Yamal and is part of the same La Masia class as the winger, Pau Cubarsi and Marc Bernal.
- The youngster could earn minutes in Jules Kounde’s injured absence and has already been compared to Bayern Munich legend Philipp Lahm.
Something was in the water in Catalonia in 2007, with yet another La Masia graduate born that blessed year looking set to make his starting FC Barcelona debut against Sevilla on Sunday.
Raised in Vilassar de Mar, a village in the Maresme region around 20 kilometres east of Barcelona city centre and just four from where Lamine Yamal grew up, Xavi Espart has realistic chances of starting from the off in the hosting of the Andalusians at the Spotify Camp Nou.
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick hinted at such a development during his prematch press conference on Saturday afternoon, where it seemed suggested that rotations in the La Liga outing might also take place amid Gavi’s long-waited comeback.
“Every player on this team can be in the starting eleven,” Flick said when asked specifically about Espart.
“He was injured a few months ago, but what I’ve seen from him is good. Today he is giving us one more option and this is important because [Alejandro] Balde and [Jules] Koundé cannot play. It’s a good option,” the German added.
Flick is clearly a fan of Espart, as are FC Barcelona fans themselves
With his fellow 2007 alumni Lamine, Cubarsi and Bernal all debuting from ages 15 to 17, Espart has to had to bide his time,
He appeared to be on the cusp of gracing the elite, but then injured the medial collateral in his right knee back in November last year while on youth international duty with Spain’s U-19s.
As soon as Flick learned of how long Kounde and Balde would be out, though, after they both became sidelined in the same Copa del Rey second-leg clash against Atletico Madrid at the start of the month, Espart was already called up to training by the boss the next morning.
On the Saturday, I was in the away end in San Mames as a member and watched Barça beat Athletic Club 1-0 thanks to a Lamine Yamal wonderstrike. And while Espart made the squad but was on the bench, his name was still sung by travelling Culers waiting to be left out of the ground by the police at full time.
“Xa-vi! Xavi Espart! Lo Lo lo lo lo lo lo lo lo!,” went the chant to the tune of The Flinstones theme which usually bears Robert Lewandowski’s name, as the youngster and other unused substitutes such as Tommy Marques went through drills with a fitness coach to stay fresh.
Just a few days later, however, in northeast England, Espart finally fulfilled a childhood dream by earning minutes at the end of the 1-1 midweek draw with Newcastle United in a tough Champions League last 16 first leg tie.
Flick has compared FC Barcelona’s Espart to one of the greats
Earning plaudits from Culers and pundits for his bravery and making an important block at the death, Espart said he “enjoyed” the pressure cooker atmosphere in St. James’ Park “like a child”.
Flick is clearly a fan, and compared him to one of the greatest right backs of all time in his former Bayern Munich charge Philipp Lahm.
“When I see him play, I like his confidence with the ball. He’s similar to Philipp Lahm, he plays as a 6 or 2, he acts well with or without the ball. Physically he is fine, he can play in both positions. Xavi has returned from injury, but he is at a good level. He has shown his quality,” Flick said before the press.
What can Xavi Espart bring to FC Barcelona at a crucial point of the season?
While SPORT’s Sergi Capdevilla called Espart “a very complete full-back, capable of going inside and outside”, COPE spoke to one of his old La Masia coaches Pau Moral, who highlighted ball recovery skills and a bravery to take risks.
“He’s someone from the house, who feels the colours [of the club] and never wrinkles,” in the face of pressure, Moral stated.
Moral also noted how Espart is a perfectionist that “executed everything” meticulously during his time in La Masia, which scouted him from UE Vilassar de Mar and incorporated the defender in 2015 as a Benjamin B team U-10.
It’s worth noting that Espart was tried as a midfielder because of his tactical intelligence but didn’t impress there, which led to almost being loaned to Sabadell B, as explained by ESPN Deportes.
After that deal fell through, however, he found his feet under Ivan Carrasco as a Cadete U-15 and was converted to his defining role of right back.
In that area of the pitch, Espart has learned how to take advantage of his positioning very well according to those that know him, and they also believe he stands out for the quality of his passing, intensity and speed.
Espart’s moment has arrived
With the injuries piling up and Flick an admirer, Espart is certain to start against Sevilla. He deserves such a reward – his FC Barcelona starting debut and at the Spotify Camp Nou no less – for his cameo at Newcastle.
Should everything go to plan, don’t be surprised to see him start in the place of someone like Ronald Araujo or Eric Garcia for the Toon’s trip to Catalonia on Wednesday, which will decide who meets Atletico Madrid or Tottenham Hotspur in the quarterfinals.
