Héctor Fort, aged 19, has begun preseason training under FC Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick after completing his loan spell at Elche. Flick has informed the player that he is counted on, at least for the beginning of the training period, and plans to closely monitor his development before making any decisions about his future.
During the 2025/26 season, Fort impressed at Elche playing as a right wing-back, showcasing his attacking capabilities. However, his main challenge at Barcelona will be adapting to the more defensive responsibilities of the traditional right-back position, given the strong competition from Eric García, Jules Koundé, and Xavi Espinosa.
At Elche, Fort demonstrated good physical attributes and pace, as well as an ability to influence attacking play. Head coach Javier Sarabia commented: “We got the player to show a very good level. Héctor is still young and hasn’t played consistently for long periods; that is part of the process. We are very happy with his performances.” Nonetheless, after a shoulder dislocation injury which required surgery, his role became more subdued toward the season’s end.
At Barcelona under Flick, Fort is expected to improve his defensive duties, especially due to the asymmetric full-back system where the left-back plays very offensively, and the right-back adopts a more conservative style. Fort’s familiarity with teammate Lamine and experience playing as a left-back in the academy could support his adaptation.
Fort faces considerable competition, and the coaching staff will evaluate his progress specifically within the team’s needs. The upcoming preseason will be a pivotal period for his potential integration into the first team.
