18-year-old La Masia starlet in line for first Barcelona start against Sevilla – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have been suffering from key injuries in recent weeks. Both first-choice full-backs are out injured, and although Joao Cancelo has been exceptional on one flank, Eric’s recent discomfort has put the team in a fix.

In the Champions League, Flick started Araujo against Newcastle United, and he was replaced by Xavi Espart in the final stages. Now, as per SPORT, the 18-year-old is in line for his first start for the senior team against Sevilla this weekend.

A debut is one thing, but a first start would represent a far bigger statement of intent from Flick, particularly in a game where Barcelona may need solutions because of absences and workload management.

For Barcelona, it would also continue a pattern that has become increasingly visible under Flick. The manager has not been afraid to trust academy talent when circumstances demand it, and Espart now appears to be the next young player who could benefit from that faith.

Espart has already been described as Phillip Lahm-esque by the German manager, and that is a very bold claim to be making about a player who has hardly featured at the senior level. It is an evidence of the talent that he possesses.

Whether he ultimately starts or not remains to be seen, but the fact that his name is already being discussed so seriously says a lot. For an 18-year-old defender who has only just taken his first steps with the senior side, this could be the beginning of something much bigger at Barcelona.