Hansi Flick doesn’t do conventional. Ask Alejandro Balde, who has watched a teenager take his place at left-back for Barcelona this season. That teenager is right-footed, came through La Masia as a midfielder, and spends most matches drifting into the middle of the pitch.
When Barcelona build from the back, Flick tucks him in beside Rodri, turning the back four into a back three, with an extra midfielder ahead of the defence. Once possession goes, he’s already slotted in the left, ready to smother counters before they start. Flick has compared his brain and technique to Philipp Lahm and Joshua Kimmich, lofty comparisons for a 19-year-old who is no other than Xavi Espart.
Seven La Liga appearances have brought 620 minutes, one goal against Levante, two assists and four clean sheets. He has completed 370 of 402 passes, a 92% success rate, and created six chances. He has made 28 clearances, four tackles and four interceptions, with one yellow card and no reds. He has earned two caps for Spain’s Under-21 side but yet to feature in Barcelona‘s Champions League matchday games.
His strengths are easy to spot. He stays calm when pressed, finds passing lanes, and reads danger before it arrives. Flick wants vertical passes into the final third, and he supplies them without panic.
However, weaknesses exist. Four tackles in 620 minutes suggest he relies more on positioning than direct challenges, and top wingers will test him one-on-one. His misplaced pass that led to Levante’s goal back in September showed what inexperience costs, even though Flick shared the blame publicly.
However, he is still attracting plenty of interest from possible suitors according to TEAMtalk. Juventus, Aston Villa, Arsenal, Tottenham & Dortmund all admire Xavi Espart and continue to monitor him closely.
His contract runs to 2030 with an £86m release clause, though £43m could tempt Barcelona as Transfermarkt values him at £21m.
Now, the question that should be on the minds of the Barcelona fans is whether their beloved club should sell Espart to Juventus in January for £43m, and my answer will be a big No.
Flick has built a left-back role around a skill set nobody else in the squad offers, and replacing it mid-season would cost more than £43m with Balde already unfavored and Cancelo being 32.
Espart’s 92% passing and instinct for stopping counters let Barcelona keep an aggressive high line, so selling him would force Flick to rework his build-up shape in the middle of a crowded fixture list.
Financially, the board will feel tempted, since £43m is double his £21m market value and academy sales help the books. But his value keeps increasing with every start and the number 12 shirt shows Barcelona see him as a first-team player, not a trading chip.
Our Verdict – Keep him, tell Juventus the clause is the price, and let Flick finish building.
