12 - Xavi Espart

Barcelonista10 said:
His height is definitely the real issue.
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Nothing he can do about his height but he can mark better on corners while not losing track of the ball - understandably rattled him a bit, his sharpness dropped for a bit but he regrouped and was involved in Lamine’s crazy 2nd goal

He is a vital player, hard to believe that’s where we are but it is what it is - another 19 year old from Masia

RB on the other hand, disaster - I really don’t understand the sport strategy to not upgrade this with someone with a much higher level. It’s handicapping the buildup as much as it leaves Lamine without much collective play
 
FCBarça said:
Nothing he can do about his height but he can mark better on corners while not losing track of the ball - understandably rattled him a bit, his sharpness dropped for a bit but he regrouped and was involved in Lamine’s crazy 2nd goal

He is a vital player, hard to believe that’s where we are but it is what it is - another 19 year old from Masia

RB on the other hand, disaster - I really don’t understand the sport strategy to not upgrade this with someone with a much higher level. It’s handicapping the buildup as much as it leaves Lamine without much collective play
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He's the perfect anti Pedri when the latter gets tired. I think as a full back he'll just inevitably be involved in plays like today's when not much to do really when the opponent is too tall and strong. Rayo really bullied us physically today. Very, very strong test.
 
Another very impressive performance. HIs mistakes in the defense are just inexperience, it comes with time. Can't expect him to play perfectly in his debut season. The club should be really happy that another La-Masia player reached the starting line-up.
 
Looked better against Bilbao but still a solid match. Need to remember it's his 2nd time he plays as LB.
 
Xavi Espart is now the only OUTFIELD player to have played all the possible minutes for Barça this season (270/270)
 
Jaguar said:
He an inch taller than Carvajal, Dani Alves. Couple inches taller than Alba. Few inches taller than Roberto Carlos 🤷🏻‍♂️ don’t see how his height will be a problem. He clearly got a very high football IQ and has enough pace, he can be amazing.
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Issue is it's not only height. Dani Alves was a fecking pitbull. Very tough and nasty to deal with physically. Espart is soft, that's his weakness, and it's not something minor.

He's gonna be great in La Liga, but would you trust him vs Olise or Dembele? I wouldn't. He has time though, and is a great squad addition for this season even if only for league games so far.
 
serghei said:
Issue is it's not only height. Dani Alves was a fecking pitbull. Very tough and nasty to deal with physically. Espart is soft, that's his weakness, and it's not something minor.

He's gonna be great in La Liga, but would you trust him vs Olise or Dembele? I wouldn't. He has time though, and is a great squad addition for this season even if only for league games so far.
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Hasn't looked soft to me at all. Uses his body pretty well actually.
 
I have been positively surprised how he uses his small frame. Doesn’t lose that many one on one battles to me.
 
I'm actually disappointed about the thing I advocated the most - moving Espart to midfield. Flick did that late in the game and it was evident his lack of physique is going to be an issue.

As for ther success at the LB position, it is mostly due to the low intensity games, passing outside pressure and not having much defensive duties overall. That fullback-pivot shit won't fly in Champions League in the later stages - he's not a good defender.
 
Windhook said:
his lack of physique is going to be an issue.
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He's in his debut season, people need always to keep that in mind when talking about him. The expectations today are insane. Throw a kid into the first team and expect him to play on senior level without deficites in physique or without mistakes based on experience.

We should be just glad another La-Masia boy managed to join the first team, let the boy play and watch his development, on whatever position Flick thinks fits him.

Windhook said:
That fullback-pivot shit won't fly in Champions League in the later stages
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Of course not, but I'm sure Flick doesn't plan to play him in these games already. For that we have Cancelo and still a winter market.
 
Windhook said:
I'm actually disappointed about the thing I advocated the most - moving Espart to midfield. Flick did that late in the game and it was evident his lack of physique is going to be an issue.

As for ther success at the LB position, it is mostly due to the low intensity games, passing outside pressure and not having much defensive duties overall. That fullback-pivot shit won't fly in Champions League in the later stages - he's not a good defender.
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There is no lack of physique, he is 175cm tall and evidently quick. He will put on mass gradually as he grows out of his teenage body.
 
Espart already proved he can be counted on in normal La Liga match. And cost us nothing.

It's a solid addition to our back-line. Played all 270 minutes so far.

Adeyemi won't ever become this much involved for a forward-line. Nevermind Bisiwu.

Could be even better for the team having him on his more natural right side and Cancelo on the left.

We'll see.
 
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