18 - Gerard Martín

[Don Juan Laporta Estruch]

Just like a boxer who is too good for his weight class and has to move up in weight, Gerard Martin conquered the left beck position and now is moving inside to become one of the best centre backs in the world.

Same career path as Paolo Maldini.

 

[Barcaman]

All good and well and I am happy that he made a solid appearance.

But how this bodes for Christensen or Araujo.

 

[Titan98]

He was very good yesterday

 

[jamrock]

Relax athletic barely could muster an attack yesterday.

Its the type of game he and Garcia will do well in.

Not to take much away from them, especially Garcia

 

[ZenI]

All good and well and I am happy that he made a solid appearance.

But how this bodes for Christensen or Araujo.

Well, the Dane is old an injury prone and Ara has to settle for a backup role or look for a transfer.

 

[Loki]

Relax athletic barely could muster an attack yesterday.

Its the type of game he and Garcia will do well in.

Not to take much away from them, especially Garcia

I still doubt many coaches could have transformed Martin into a very solid LaLiga defender as Flick did.

 

[MDub94]

@DonAK knew too well where Gerard's trajectory is going

 

[FCBarca]

I still doubt many coaches could have transformed Martin into a very solid LaLiga defender as Flick did.

Gerard’s rise under Hansi can’t be understated

 

[JohnN]

I don't want to sound mean, but it really is surprising how a player of this level is playing as a starter for Barca.

 

[Barcaman]

I don't want to sound mean, but it really is surprising how a player of this level is playing as a starter for Barca.

Oleguer vibes.

 

[Gnidrologist]

He is way better at CB. He's an intelligent and gritty defender, which is why Flick prolly likes him, but lacks pace so he's liability as a fullback. That intelligence and grittiness, while having top quality passing culture might fit him right in at least as a squad guy for CB role.

 

[ZenI]

He is way better at CB. He's an intelligent and gritty defender, which is why Flick prolly likes him, but lacks pace so he's liability as a fullback. That intelligence and grittiness, while having top quality passing culture might fit him right in at least as a squad guy for CB role.

Yup, agree.

 

[xXKonan]

Flick has been trying all year to find a suitable replacement for Inigo and it hasn't worked out.

Eric at CB, at least IMO is not bad, but he's clearly much better as an RB/DM and with how Kounde's form has been all season we are better off having Eric over there on the right and also filling in the Midfield when needed as well.

Araujo just doesn't have the skill set to be a full-time starter in this team. Not good enough on the ball and has way too many bozo moments at the back in regards to defending at times as well.

Christensen is a fine defender, but not reliable due to fitness/injury issues, which leaves us with Cubarsi, who himself has been underfire and underperforming at times this season, but to be fair, he's still very young.

Doesn't hurt to give Martin a run of games at LCB to see if he can be reliable in that aspect.

 

[ZenI]

Flick has been trying all year to find a suitable replacement for Inigo and it hasn't worked out.

Eric at CB, at least IMO is not bad, but he's clearly much better as an RB/DM and with how Kounde's form has been all season we are better off having Eric over there on the right and also filling in the Midfield when needed as well.

Araujo just doesn't have the skill set to be a full-time starter in this team. Not good enough on the ball and has way too many bozo moments at the back in regards to defending at times as well.

Christensen is a fine defender, but not reliable due to fitness/injury issues, which leaves us with Cubarsi, who himself has been underfire and underperforming at times this season, but to be fair, he's still very young.

Doesn't hurt to give Martin a run of games at LCB to see if he can be reliable in that aspect.

Kounde had a string of bad games before the latest NT break, but he played well against Bilbao. I agree about Martin on CB, but we have this other problem called Balde - dude is terrible. He looks lost, can't defend, can't cross to save his life - utter shit. So we need to play Martin on LB.

 

[draconifire]

Having a Left Footed LCB really does us wonder. Thought Bilbao was shit, and didnt test him a lot.
Its good to see he can be a decent LCB backup.
But god, in LB he is so shit. We need a decent backup.