Barcelona youngster set for 2nd La Liga start of the season vs Rayo Vallecano | OneFootball

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is ready to afford a starting berth to an up-and-coming member of his defensive ranks this weekend.

That’s according to Diario Sport, who highlight Xavi Espart as the player in question.

Youngster Espart has of course emerged as a sudden contributor in Barcelona over recent weeks.

Amid the ongoing injury problems of Jules Koundé and Eric García, the talented 18-year-old was first afforded a chance to impress at right-back off the bench against Newcastle United in the Champions League.

This was then followed last weekend by a first-ever start in Blaugrana colours, in a comfortable La Liga victory over Sevilla.

And if the latest word stemming from the media on Friday is anything to go by, then Espart evidently did enough to impress Hansi Flick and his staff along the way.

As per a report from Sport:

‘This coming Sunday at the Spotify Camp Nou against Rayo Vallecano, Espart has serious numbers to be a starter on that right wing.’

Conor Laird – GSFN