Barcelona homegrown player will gain exposure in upcoming cup matches

Recent reports from SPORT indicate that Barcelona defender Hector Fort is set to gain increased prominence as the team embarks on its campaign in the League Cup, especially with a busier schedule ahead. 

Fort was one of the standout players in Barcelona’s lineup during the match against Espanyol. 

After the game, manager Hansi Flick mentioned that his decision to substitute Jules Kounde was strategic, but he also shared insights about Fort’s development, highlighting that this was his second start of the season.

Challenging time for Fort

After an encouraging debut season, Fort has faced challenges in securing playing time under Flick’s management.

During the pre-season, it was clear that Flick intended to introduce the young full-back gradually into the first team. So far, Fort has only been on the pitch for 18% of the total available minutes in La Liga. 

He was a starter against Espanyol, playing for 78 minutes, and also featured in matches against Alaves for 67 minutes, Girona for 29 minutes, Villarreal for 9 minutes, Getafe for 2 minutes, and Osasuna for 5 minutes. 

Hector Fort has not played much for Barcelona. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

In the Champions League, he contributed an additional 26 minutes against Young Boys. Flick has relied on Kounde as his primary option at right-back, despite Fort’s impressive performances at left-back last season. 

Time will change

In his early appearances with the first team, Fort demonstrated remarkable consistency in demanding environments. He capitalized on Joao Cancelo’s absences to secure a spot in the starting lineup, beginning his season with the senior team right from pre-season. 

Flick has been gradually increasing Fort’s playing time, reflecting the club’s belief in his potential as a valuable asset for the future.

Fort renewed his contract last May, extending his stay until 2029. With the League Cup matches approaching and a packed schedule on the horizon, expectations are high for him to feature more prominently in the coming matches. 

Flick has been closely monitoring his progress, as evidenced by his supportive gestures after the match against Valladolid, where he took the time to explain to the player why he had not received more playing time earlier. 

As Barcelona’s fixtures increase in frequency, the full-back’s opportunity is poised to expand significantly.