Flick calls up 18-year-old Barcelona gem to training after Kounde, Balde injury blows
· Yahoo Sports
FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick will be without his two starting full-backs for several weeks.
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Both Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde were injured during the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night. Curiously, both suffered the same issue: a hamstring injury in the left leg.
Barça have confirmed that Balde is out for four weeks, and while there was no timeline specified for Kounde’s injury officially, he too is expected to be out for a month.
Flick must now find solutions in both full-back positions – Joao Cancelo and Gerard Martin are available as immediate options in the first-team squad, while he can also turn to the academy.
Xavi Espart called up to training
In that regard, SPORT reports that Flick called up La Masia right-back Xavi Espart to train with the first-team squad earlier today.
The 18-year-old right-back, who can also play in midfield, was already involved with the first team earlier in the season. He later suffered a knee injury but has fully recovered and has since made several starts for the reserve team.
Xavi Espart (L) back training with Barça first team. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Espart is a player whom Flick holds in high regard. The youngster has found his niche at right-back after starting out as a defensive midfielder and excels with his attacking capabilities on the flank.
At the same time, the La Masia teenager has worked hard to improve his defensive game, while also adding muscle mass to get better physically.
As such, within the club, the belief is that Espart is ready to take the next step, and he is now back working with the first team following the injury blow to Kounde.
With the Frenchman likely to be out for a month, Flick could rely on Eric Garcia and Espart at right-back, while utilising Gerard Martin and Joao Cancelo at left-back to cover for Balde’s absence.