19-Year-Old Prospect Switches to Left Back and Starts Three Straight Matches, Another Barcelona Academy Talent Emerges

Barcelona have started the new season with three straight wins, and a 19-year-old prospect has started all three matches while providing two assists. He is not a forward or a midfielder, but Javi Espart, who has been deployed as a left back by manager Flick.

Espart came through the La Masia academy and initially received midfielder training. He was in the same youth generation as Yamal, Cubarsí and Bernal, but his opportunity arrived later than theirs. 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 started in Barcelona's La Liga home match against Sevilla and again left a strong impression.

From right back to left back

Barcelona successfully defended their La Liga title last season, and Espart had a place in Flick's plans. He made seven appearances in all competitions, with six of them coming at right back. This season, Flick moved him to left back, and he has started all three matches at the beginning of the new campaign while contributing two assists.

Flick once evaluated him this way: "When I watch him play, I really like his confidence in possession. He reminds me of Lahm, who could play as a No. 6 or a No. 2. I like watching his performances both on and off the ball."

Previously compared with Xavi

Espart comes from the coastal town of Vilassar de Mar, around 20 minutes from Barcelona, and joined La Masia in 2015 at the age of eight. Because of his playing style, he has often been compared with Xavi, who is also his idol. It was only after Flick arrived that people said he reminded them of Philipp Lahm.

Barcelona seven-a-side football coordinator Marc Serra, together with academy figures Aureli Altimira and Jordi Roura, approved Espart's signing at the time. "He is exactly the type of player we had always been looking for," Roura told The Athletic. "He is technically very good, understands the game well, thinks quickly and can anticipate play. But not everyone was convinced he would succeed."

This summer, Espart also helped Spain's U19 team win the European Championship, where he also performed well in midfield. Now he has established himself at left back and has given Flick a "pleasant dilemma" in that position, with Barcelona also having Joao Cancelo, who returned on a permanent transfer on August 20, and Alejandro Balde, who stayed despite interest from Manchester United.