Hansi Flick turns to a La Masia gem amid the defensive crisis, promoting the promising young defender to the first-team squad.
With both starters expected to miss around five matches, the coach is speeding up plans to integrate younger options into the squad, especially at full‑back and right‑centre positions where cover is thin.
The move signals that Barcelona is preparing for a more rotation‑heavy, hybrid approach, mixing experienced defenders with fresh faces from La Masia as they navigate a congested schedule.
The player in question is Xavi Espart, the Spanish defender who has been promoted to train regularly with the first team in the wake of Kounde and Balde’s absences, as reported by Diario Sport.
Espart, who usually features for Barcelona Atletic, has impressed academy staff with his composure, positional sense, and ability to read play, making him a natural candidate for a quick step‑up when emergencies arise.
At 18, he is still very much in the development phase, but his profile fits the kind of intelligent, technically sound defender that Flick wants on hand for squad depth.
By taking him into main‑team sessions, the German coach is giving him a chance to adapt to the intensity, tempo, and tactical demands of senior football before any potential debut.
At the same time, Flick’s decision underlines just how much the Kounde‑Balde injuries have disrupted the club’s defensive plans.
With Joao Cancelo already a key figure at the back and Pau Cubarsí often deployed centrally, Barcelona need trustworthy alternatives who understand the system and can slot in without major adjustment.
If Espart responds well to the step‑up, he could become one of the surprise names in Barcelona’s defensive mix as the season enters its decisive phase, showing how injuries at the top can open doors for promising talents from within La Masia.
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