Xavi ‘carefully examining’ Barcelona youngster included in 7 straight first-team training sessions

Barcelona head coach Xavi is keeping a close eye on the development of another up-and-coming member of the club’s youth ranks.

That’s according to Diario Sport, who have provided an insight into the latest developments behind the scenes in Catalunya’s capital.

The latest player piquing the attentions of Xavi and his coaching staff? Mamadou Mbacke.

Mbacke, for his part, is a 21-year-old central defender, who has spent the season to date on loan at Barca, from MLS outfit Los Angeles FC.

After picking up a suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards with the Blaugrana’s reserve outfit last month, Mbacke was called up to senior training by Xavi, whilst Rafa Márquez’s troops returned to action in the Primera Federación.

And, ever since, the Senegalese has been a mainstay amongst the first-team setup in Catalunya.

Mbacke has featured in each of Barcelona’s last seven training sessions, making his mark with an impressive combination of stature, physicality, positional awareness, and passing technique.

Xavi, for one, is said to have been particularly intrigued by the exploits of the stopper, ‘convincing more and more within the club every day’.

Should Mbacke continue along his current path, it is therefore looking increasingly likely that the Blaugrana brass will sanction his purchase on a permanent basis in the summer.

Conor Laird | GSFN