Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has identified 16-year-old Ebrima Tunkara, 17-year-old Orian Goren, and 19-year-old Xavi Espart as the three youngsters who most impressed him during the club’s recent pre-season training camp at St George’s Park in England, where the coach is utilizing La Masia talent to fill first-team depth gaps.
With a significant portion of the senior squad unavailable at the start of pre-season due to World Cup commitments, Hansi Flick has leaned heavily on the academy. After the final training session in England on Monday, the manager spoke to the press and singled out three specific prospects who have surprised him during the last three weeks of camp.
Xavi Espart: The Most Immediate First-Team Option
Of the three praised youngsters, 19-year-old Xavi Espart is viewed as the most likely to secure a role in the senior squad this season. Unlike his younger counterparts, Espart is already familiar with the first-team environment, having made his debut in the Champions League against Newcastle in March.
“Ebrima Tunkara is a great talent, as is Orian Goren. And Xavi Espart played very well as a number 2 (right-back) in the match against Birmingham, and both in the game and in training he has made it clear that he is a top-level player. This is what I have seen in the last three weeks.”
— Hansi Flick
Espart is a versatile player capable of operating as a right-back or in central midfield. He has earned praise for his pressing effectiveness, attacking runs, and overall reliability. Given the current uncertainty surrounding Barcelona’s right-back options, he may serve as an understudy to Joao Cancelo, who is expected to join the club on a permanent deal, according to reporting from Yahoo.
The Rise of Ebrima Tunkara and Orian Goren
While Espart offers immediate utility, Ebrima Tunkara and Orian Goren represent the next wave of La Masia’s technical evolution. Both players have followed a similar trajectory, progressing from Cadete A to Juvenil A in successive seasons.
Tunkara, just 16 years old and standing at 1.78 metres, is regarded as one of the academy’s most dynamic talents. A left-footer who plays as an attacking midfielder or on the wings, he is valued for his vision, his knack for finding space, his precise passing, and his ability to receive under pressure. Despite interest from agents, Tunkara’s sole focus is succeeding in Barcelona colours, and he is expected to feature for Barca Atletic this term under Juliano Belletti.
Orian Goren, 17, has caught Flick’s eye through his technical control, personality on the ball, and intelligence in space. Standing 1.78 metres, Goren is naturally right-footed but comfortable with his left. During a match against Birmingham, he demonstrated the composure and positioning that led Flick to categorize him as a great talent, delivering simple but effective passes to keep attacks going in rhythm, as reported by Barca Blaugranes. Goren joined the club in 2022 and is under contract until 2028.
Pre-season Disruptions at St George’s Park
The training camp in England was not without its complications. While the squad managed a 2-2 draw against Birmingham City—which ended in a 3-2 penalty shootout loss—a second scheduled friendly was scrapped. A matchup against Preston North End, set for Monday, Aug. 3, was canceled because the English side lacked enough fit first-team players to compete.
Preston North End contacted the Spanish club to disclose the shortage, as the Championship side was slated to open its competitive campaign on Saturday in the Carabao Cup against Huddersfield Town. To protect their remaining senior squad from potential injuries, Preston proposed playing the exhibition using their U-21 roster instead. As reported by Spanish outlet Diario Sport, Barcelona rejected the alternative. Instead, Flick replaced the game with a standard training session and accelerated the team’s return to Spain.
The Path to the 2026-27 Campaign
The return to Catalonia marks a shift in preparation as World Cup participants rejoin the squad. While veterans like Raphinha, Karim Adeyemi, and Wojciech Szczesny traveled to England, the arrival of Spain’s World Cup winners will provide Flick with his full tactical arsenal ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
- August 8: A triangular tournament in Udine, Italy, against Udinese and Nottingham Forest for the inaugural Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup, featuring condensed 45-minute matches.
- August 19: The traditional Joan Gamper Trophy against Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly at Spotify Camp Nou.
- August 23: The La Liga season opener against Elche.
With five tune-up matches instead of the originally planned six, the window for youngsters like Espart, Tunkara, and Goren to prove their first-team viability has narrowed, making their performances in the upcoming triangular tournament and the Gamper Trophy critical for their season prospects.
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