Barcelona promote teenage left-back Jordi Bescos across youth and reserve sides

Barcelona are increasing Jordi Bescos’ involvement across their youth and reserve teams as the 17-year-old left-back continues to build experience within the club’s senior set-up.

Bescos played for Juvenil A on Sunday and is expected to be included in the Barcelona Atletic squad on Monday, with the reserve side preparing to begin their Spanish league campaign.

The defender has also become part of the first-team environment under manager Hansi Flick. Although he was not named in the squad for Barcelona’s opening fixture, his work in training and performances during pre-season friendlies persuaded Flick to keep him involved after the start of the La Liga season.

Bescos was subsequently called up for the opening match against Elche, when Flick decided to withdraw Alejandro Balde from the squad.

With Balde now back in contention, Joao Cancelo having joined the club and Xavi Espart emerging as another option on the left, Bescos has moved back into training with the reserve team, according to Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

Barcelona’s intention is to ensure that the academy graduate receives regular competitive minutes while continuing his development. That plan saw him feature for Juvenil A before his expected inclusion in the Barcelona Atletic squad.

Juvenil A, coached by Pol Planas, began their league campaign with a 6-0 victory over Huesca. The side are now preparing for their opening UEFA Youth League fixture against Feyenoord.

Bescos had already trained with Barcelona Atletic under manager Juliano Belletti last Wednesday, when the reserve team lost the final of the Copa Catalunya 2-1 to Sabadell.

He made his first appearance for the reserve side in that match, coming on during the second half in place of 18-year-old Josue Caicedo. Caicedo is regarded as one of the club’s international prospects, leaving Belletti with strong competition between the two players for the left-back position.

Barcelona have adopted a similar approach with Juvenil A’s squad for the current campaign. Players who have not been promoted to Barcelona Atletic have remained with the youth team, while several members of last season’s Juvenil B group have also been included.

However, Planas has not yet been able to use the team’s only signing. German centre-back Mikael Baza, who is 16, is still unavailable to the coach.

Juvenil A will begin their UEFA Youth League campaign against Dutch club Feyenoord on Wednesday. Barcelona are expected to announce the list of players eligible for the competition before the match.

That squad is likely to include at least one of the youth-team players currently training within the Barcelona Atletic set-up. Bescos’ involvement across the three levels reflects the club’s effort to balance his progression with the need for consistent playing time, while maintaining a pathway towards the first team.