Everyone at Barcelona is increasingly excited about 19-year-old Xavi Espart. Although La Masia is always producing technically gifted players there is something truly special about the youngster's game which cannot be ignored. It makes him so difficult for rivals to combat, and ultimately incredibly useful for manager Hansi Flick.
Every young player currently emerging through the ranks of European football, have their certain quality, Espart however has that one in addition to something truly unique: "La Pausa."
Whether being put under extreme pressure or being absolutely swamped by high-pressing, the youngster seems to possess this game changing quality. He has that moment on the ball almost as if to pause the game. We've seen this trait with Pedri and we won't easily come across a young midfielder that possesses that blend of technicality and mentality.
The ultimate 'utility-man'
Espart was put to the ultimate test of his footballing IQ in the emphatic 2-0 victory against Elche this past weekend. Naturally a right-footed player who operates as a right-back or central midfielder, Espart is being tasked with starting as a left-back. Rather than looking out of depth in a makeshift role, he delivering imperial performances. He's looking completely comfortable, never seemed out of position.
His adaptability and his ability to play in multiple positions, especially positions which ask a player the most questions off the ball, shows he's a real intelligent and physical asset to the club.
Numbers give an imperial performance
He clearly didn't just play a decent game at left-back, he commanded the game and his statistics in the victory against Elche alone show exactly why people are now mentioning him in the same breath as Joshua Kimmich.
- Minutes: 90'
- Pass completion: 44/52 (85%)
- Defensive Actions: 13 (most)
- Ground duels won: 7/11
- Aerial duels won | 3/3 |
- Recoveries: 6
- Clearances: 5
- Interceptions: 2
- Contributions to goals: 1 assist
Hansi Flick impressed
To impress Hansi Flick as a manager takes an enormous amount of quality. But he clearly trusts Espart implicitly and seems more enamoured with the youngster than nearly any other young players in the squad.
Flick is fully aware of how many of Espart's strengths he has at his disposal and the importance of the youngster's adaptability to tactical fluidity, high-intensity pressing, which is central to his ideal modern system.
The chance to bring that flexibility to a player that can operate as a inverted right or left back depending on the tactic, or even an anchorman centre-midfielder will clearly impress any top-level manager and you will understand why the Barcelona boss thinks so high of him.
The rest of Europe might not all be talking about him just yet, but give it a little time. We all might be hearing the chanting of "XAVI XAVI" at the Spotify Camp Nou again very soon, now through this brilliant young kid.
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