19-Year-Old Converts to Left-Back and Starts Consecutive Games as Barcelona Produce Another La Masia Prospect

In Barcelona's first three matches of the new season, a 19-year-old youngster started every game and provided two assists. He is not a forward or a midfielder, but Xavi Espart, who was converted into a left-back by head coach Flick. The youngster, who originally played in midfield, is proving through his performances that he deserves to wear the Blaugrana shirt.

From academy to first team, he waited longer

Espart came through the same La Masia academy group as Yamal, Cubarsi and Bernal, but compared with those teammates who became well known at an early age, his opportunity arrived a little later. In last season's Champions League round of 16 first leg away against Newcastle, he came on as a substitute for around nine minutes and impressed; five days later, he was given a starting opportunity in La Liga's home match against Sevilla and once again caught attention. During Barcelona's successful La Liga title defense last season, Espart made seven appearances in all competitions, six of them as a right-back.

This summer, he helped Spain U19 win the European Championship, during which he also played in midfield. After the new season began, Flick placed him at left-back. He started all of the first three league matches, showing defensive solidity and contributing two assists.

Flick: He reminds me of Lahm

Espart comes from Vilassar de Mar, a town about 20 minutes north of Barcelona's coastline by car. In 2015, he joined La Masia at the age of eight. Because of his playing style, he was often compared with his idol Xavi. It was not until Flick arrived that the German coach provided a new reference point — Philipp Lahm.

"When I watch him play, I really like his confidence on the ball," Flick said at a press conference in March last year. "He reminds me of Lahm, who can play as a No. 6 and also as a No. 2. I like watching his performances both with and without the ball."

Espart's start at Barcelona, together with Flick's assessment of him, reflects his development path. During his academy years, he often changed positions, partly because the emergence of other talented players created challenges for him.

Competition at left-back is intense, and he seized his opportunity

Espart's rapid rise has given Flick a 'happy problem'. At this position, Barcelona also have Joao Cancelo — who returned to Barcelona on a permanent transfer on August 20 — as well as Alejandro Balde. Although Manchester United were interested in him, Balde ultimately stayed with the team.

One of the senior figures in Barcelona's academy system, Marc Serra, who was responsible for coordinating seven-a-side football at the time, along with Aureli Altimira and Jordi Roura, jointly approved Espart's signing. "He is exactly the type of player we have always been looking for," Roura told The Athletic. "He is technically very good, understands the game well, thinks quickly and can anticipate situations on the pitch. But not everyone was convinced that he could succeed."

Now, the 19-year-old has responded to previous doubts with three consecutive starts and two assists. The legendary La Masia story appears to have opened another new chapter.