Barcelona gem slowly showing why Flick was right to compare him with Bayern Munich legend

That comparison initially felt quite overboard, but AS explains just how it is now starting to look like a reality. What’s the story? What makes Espart different is his versatility and how naturally he interprets different roles.

Unlike players who are shifted around to solve short-term problems, Espart reads the game with the awareness of someone who understands multiple positions at once. His career path explains that. Starting out as a midfielder, he developed a sense of positioning, rhythm, and decision-making that typically takes years to refine.

Eventually, moving into a fullback role has not limited him, it has expanded his influence. From wide areas, he defends, he overlaps, he dictates play and also steps inside when needed. Flick’s faith inEspart is bearing fruit.

(Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) Against Slovenia, when deployed back in midfield, that trait of his became even clearer. He controlled transitions, anticipated danger early, and imposed structure on the game. As per the aforementioned outlt, Barcelona have already begun to benefit from this profile.