Gerard Martín wasn’t high on anyone’s list a few months ago, but now he’s starting big games and looking settled. FC Barcelona boss Hansi Flick is full of praise. “Gerard is an example that with mentality, effort and attitude, everything is possible. He is doing very well.”
Back when Flick first arrived, Martín was in a different position. The squad needed a left-back and the coaching staff went digging through reports from Barça Atlètic, and conversations with Deco and Bojan Krkić pointed them in the direction
of Martín. He ended up staying with the first team.
“From the first day we saw that he enjoyed playing with the ball and that he had very good characteristics. He gave us a good impression and he stayed,” Flick said.
The role he’s carved out since then wasn’t obvious. He’s no longer used out wide as a fullback. Injuries opened a door in central defense and he stepped through it, now lining up regularly next to Pau Cubarsí.
There’s a calmness to how he plays there, even when games get messy.
His numbers have started to get attention too. According to DataMB, he’s winning 98.4% of his aerial duels. That holds up across the season and puts him right alongside names like Virgil van Dijk and Antonio Rüdiger in that specific area. The rest of his profile is steady across the board, and importantly for Flick’s system, he’s good at passing and at positioning in the line.
He’s already past 2,200 minutes this season, which says a lot.
Martín’s moment shone brightly against Newcastle United. He had been the only outfield player yet to register a goal or assist this season. That changed. He drifted to the far post from a Raphinha set piece and set up Marc Bernal for the finish. And now? Every outfield player in the squad has now contributed directly to a goal.
Last season he ended up with seven goal contributions. This year took longer to get going in that sense, but his role has shifted, so that it is not too relevant.
“I’m not going to say much more. But without a doubt Gerard is an example that everything is possible if you work. His performance is fantastic and we are delighted,” Flick said.
