Barcelona coaching staff ‘surprised’ by 18-year-old La Masia talent’s quality in training | OneFootball

Since the international break this month, Hansi Flick has regularly called up Barcelona academy gem Xavi Espart to first-team training.

The 18-year-old midfielder turned right-back has even been included in the matchday squad for the games against Girona and Olympiacos, and trained with the senior team on Thursday, leading up to the first El Clasico of the season.

Flick & co. delighted by Xavi Espart

Now, according to SPORT, while Flick and his staff were always aware of Espart, they have been surprised by his quality and how well he has adapted to training sessions at the top level.

Espart has been at La Masia since a very young age and started out as a midfielder, rising through the ranks at the academy.

However, during the 2023/24 season, he was tried out as a right-back, and Espart began stringing together impressive performances in his new position.

The teenager took advantage of his technical skills and passing ability developed from years of playing in midfield, which allowed him to combine effectively on the right side, making him unpredictable and a constant threat in attack with his surprising runs.

Xavi Espart making an impression on Flick. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

At the same time, he grew stronger defensively and more tactically mature. Since then, Espart has continued to make impressive strides and starred for Juvenil A under Juliano Belletti last season, as they won the treble.

Espart’s time spent playing in midfield has given him a high technical level and excellent passing ability, allowing him to connect with world-class teammates in the senior team as if he had been doing so for years.

Regardless of how long Espart remains with the first team, both the coaching staff and the sporting department are pleased with his performance.

The club and the player understand that his place is still with Juliano Belletti’s Barça Atletic side, and he will continue to play an important role in their campaign.

But they also know that the youngster must stay ready, as any injury or setback in the first team could open the door for him to make the step up.