Barcelona star’s performance in new position could allow club to avoid January signings

Barcelona entered the new season a centre-back short as they allowed Inigo Martinez to leave for Saudi Arabia, but did not sign a replacement.

With Andreas Christensen spending time out injured for a while and now Ronald Araujo being away from action due to mental health issues, Hansi Flick has never had a full set of centre-halves available at his disposal.

That, coupled with the fact that there is no natural left-footed centre-back in the squad, compelled the coaching staff to try Gerard Martin as a makeshift central defender alongside Pau Cubarsi.

Experiment pays off

And the experiment has worked a treat, as Martin has performed admirably in his new position in the last three La Liga matches.

Even though he delivered solid performances in back-to-back matches against Athletic Club and Alaves, there were some reservations about him playing at centre-back vs Atletico Madrid.

But Flick trusted the 23-year-old youngster to step up, and his faith was not misplaced.

Now, according to SPORT, Martin’s breakthrough in this role will allow Barcelona to set aside plans to reinforce the position in the January window, though it will still be addressed in the summer.

Martin’s future was questioned during the summer. Two Premier League offers arrived, and Barça were willing to explore them because both Everton and Wolverhampton were prepared to pay around €15 million. However, the left-back did not want to leave.

Barcelona had even contacted Alejandro Grimaldo as an option to strengthen the left-back position in case the former UD Cornella starlet departed, but in the end, nothing changed.

While he was always going to be Alejandro Balde’s understudy at left-back, the unique circumstances in the centre-back position opened the doors for Martin.

So much so that, from now on, he will have far more prominence as a left-sided centre-back than as a full-back.

Flick and his staff highlight two traits that strengthen his case for a starting role: Martin is quick and positions himself very well, producing strong defensive performances, and he also provides a very good outlet with the ball at his feet.

Much like last season, Flick has once again managed to shape a new starter out of necessity, and Martin’s form might allow Barcelona to avoid spending in January.