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

“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,” he 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 Atletic with Belletti.

“He could eventually replace Jules Kounde. When I had him, Espart played in midfield with the 1-3-2-1 typical of Barça’s 7-a-side football. He was one of the two pivots.

“But it is true that when in some situation we needed to place one of the two midfielders on the outside, we placed him there. I think he’s a player who can make a lot of career in the Barça first team playing as a full-back.”

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