After the defensive struggles over the past three seasons under two very different tactical styles and managers in Xavi and Hansi Flick, it has been apparent that Barcelona do need a defender
Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsi and Jules Kounde are fairly certain to be starters heading into the new season in a month’s time (maybe Joao Cancelo could start over Balde but it’s likely that Balde keeps his spot for now) – but it’s still completely up in the air for who will be the fourth defender in the ‘Gala
XI’
All kinds of names have been thrown around – Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Ruud Nijstad, Aymeric Laporte and so many others alongside Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo and Gerard Martin (new signing Patricio Pacifico was making waves at Barcelona Atletic but considering his long-term injury, he’s unlikely to be incorporated anytime soon).
However, I would argue that Barca need two players, not one, to replace the much-missed intelligence and solidity of Inigo Martinez but both of them are already at the club…
Alvaro Cortes
The 21-year-old spent most of the 25-26 season captaining Juliano Belletti’s Atletic in the fourth division and performing spectacularly. While fans were calling for his inclusion in the first team after the first few games of the season, he finally received his first-team debut only late in the season after the league title had already been mathematically secured. Cortes featured in a 1-0 defeat to Alaves but that loss can easily be said to be despite Cortes, not because of him.
His performance was the lone bright spot in a poor team performance that day with an impressive 97% pass completion rate, winning three out of four ground duels and five out of nine aerial duels, making a crucial goal-saving interception early in the game alongside three recoveries. His 6’3” frame also means he could be extremely useful when coming up against more physical Premier League or Serie A opponents in the Champions League.
Crucially, he did not commit a single foul across the full 90 minutes and additionally, is left footed and fills a crucial vacancy that Inigo’s departure left. He should very much be considered to be a starter alongside Cubarsi at the start of the season.
However, he is likely to be far too young and inexperienced to be the regular starter all season which is where the experienced option comes in…
Andreas Christensen
The Danish centre-back controversially signed a two-year extension this summer despite being plagued by injuries and barely playing across the 25-26 season
But if special care is taken with his fitness, he is tailor-made to be the Inigo replacement: an experienced veteran, who had an incredible 22/23 season in the famed ‘BACK’ defence that boasts an incredible defensive record. Interestingly, since Robert Lewandowski’s departure, he is the only man in the current Barcelona squad with experience of winning a Champions League title.
He has played both LCB and RCB across his career, is calm and composed in possession, tackles fantastically and while he is technically right footed, he has absolutely no problems depending on his left when needed. He is an aerial threat both defensively and also at attacking set-pieces (who remembers his winner at the Parc des Princes in the 23/24 quarter-finals?)
Alongside Eric Garcia, he is also likely the most tactically intelligent player on the squad which is also an area Barca have lacked since Inigo’s sudden departure. Beginning the season with Cortes starting the league games and Christensen starting in the Champions League, could be a great solution, with Cortes being gradually eased into the pressure of European competition against some of the biggest, most talented or physical squads on the continent
However, this creates a surplus of centre-backs on the team, with Christensen, Cubarsi and Cortes being the main CBs and with Gerard Martin and Eric Garcia as the LCB and RCB backups respectively. Perhaps the best situation for both club and player might be for Ronald Araujo to look to continue his career elsewhere.
While his physicality will be missed, Cortes on form fills that gap, while Araujo’s intelligence and quick decision-making ability in big games, which has often been questioned, is covered by Eric and Christensen.
Let me know if you agree, or if you think we still need an outside signing to shore up the defence!
