Gerard Martin consolidates role at Barcelona after last season’s emergence

A number of younger gamers made their breakthrough into the FC Barcelona first crew throughout Hansi Flick’s first season in command of the Blaugrana squad, and one such participant who did so with out having fun with a whole lot of the highlight was the defender Gerard Martin.

After changing into a daily within the first crew final season, SPORT notes that the Spaniard has gone on to consolidate his place this season.

Martin has already surpassed the 1,793 minutes he performed final season, and solely Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, and Alejandro Balde have accrued extra minutes amongst Barça defenders this time period.

He has proven his versatility by performing each as a center-back and as a left-back, stepping in each time the first-choice defenders wanted relaxation or have been unavailable.

The German coach has repeatedly praised Martin’s significance to the crew, and the participant has repaid that belief with strong performances in high-pressure conditions. He began essential matches such because the La Liga conflict in opposition to Atletico Madrid and the Champions League encounter with PSG.

Extra not too long ago, he was most popular over Balde within the sport in opposition to Girona, after which began as a center-back in opposition to Levente, proving he can carry out each time and wherever required.

His constant shows make him a key determine within the decisive section of the season, simply as he did in matches just like the Copa del Rey last in opposition to Actual Madrid, the La Liga Clasico, or the Champions League semifinals in opposition to Inter Milan final season.

Regardless of these achievements, Martin faces a pending activity. In contrast to final season, when he contributed one objective and 6 assists, he has but to register a direct objective contribution this marketing campaign.

After Joao Cancelo assisted Frenkie de Jong in opposition to LevanteMartin grew to become the one outfield Barcelona participant with no objective or help to this point. Taking part in practically half of his minutes as a center-back partly explains this, however it stays an space for enchancment.

Statistically, the 23-year-old Spaniard has made vital progress. In La Liga, he has elevated his interventions from 33.2 to 58.3 per 90 minutes, improved correct passes from 20 to 43.4 with greater accuracy from 85% to 90%, boosted recoveries from 1.5 to 2.1, raised clearances from 1 to 2.4, and received extra duels, from 1.8 to 2.8 per sport. These enhancements replicate his development and underline why Flick depends on him within the rotation.

Whereas he has but to make his mark within the last third, Gerard Martin stays a significant member of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona squad this season, combining consistency, versatility, and defensive reliability.