‘He could eventually replace Jules Kounde’ – La Masia star tipped to make the breakthrough at Barcelona

Barcelona’s academy pipeline may be ready to deliver another first-team solution, as 19-year-old right-back Xavi Espart has been earmarked for a future role with the senior squad. Former La Masia coach Óscar Jorquera believes the defender possesses the tools to succeed at Camp Nou and, in time, succeed Jules Kounde in the position.

“I spoke to him the first time he was called up to the first team and I told him how proud I was and the full confidence I had that he was fully capable and valid to take on that challenge,” Jorquera told Sport. “For me he is a player who can be perfectly in the first-team squad. Obviously he has to continue taking his steps and more now after being injured. He has to regain the trust of Barça Atlètic with Belletti.”

Jorquera, who coached Espart during his formative years, recalls deploying the youngster as a pivot in Barcelona’s signature 1-3-2-1 seven-a-side system. Yet even then the coach saw positional versatility that could translate to the senior level. “When in some situation we needed to place one of the two midfielders on the outside, we placed him there,” he explained. “I think he’s a player who can make a lot of career in the Barça first team playing as a full-back.”

A significant knee injury in November stalled Espart’s momentum, sidelining him for several months and delaying his push for promotion. Now back to full fitness, the defender is eager to rekindle the attention of head coach Hansi Flick, who had already noted his potential before the setback.

With Kounde often deployed at right-back despite his natural centre-back profile, Espart’s emergence could offer Barcelona a home-grown alternative and free the Frenchman to return to the heart of defence. Jorquera’s endorsement adds weight to the idea that Espart’s progression is not a question of talent, but of timing and consistency in the club’s B side.

As the teenager rebuilds rhythm with Barça Atlètic under assistant coach Belletti, all eyes will be on whether he can force his way into Flick’s plans and validate the belief that he is the long-term heir to the right-back role currently occupied by one of Europe’s most versatile defenders.