At the start of the season, very few imagined Gerard Martin would become such a relevant figure in Hansi Flick’s squad.
The competition around him was fierce, the standards were high, and opportunities looked limited.
Yet as the campaign enters its decisive stretch, the young defender has quietly built a strong case for himself.
The reality was always going to be harsh. At left-back, Alejandro Balde remains the first choice when fit.
In central defence, Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia naturally sit higher in the hierarchy. For a developing player trying to establish himself, that is no easy environment.
However, football seasons rarely follow a perfect script. Injuries, tactical changes and heavy schedules open doors, and Gerard Martin has stepped through them without hesitation.
Hard to ignore
Initially viewed as the “fifth man” in the defensive rotation, the 23-year-old, wanted by AC Milan now, was expected to provide depth rather than influence, but his response on the pitch has shifted that perception.
After the painful Copa del Rey defeat against Atletico Madrid, Flick needed reliability and character. Martin delivered exactly that.
Gerard Martin is Barcelona’s trump card. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Whether it was against Girona or against Levante, he showed composure, discipline and tactical understanding.
The numbers back up that impression. This season, Gerard Martin has already clocked 1,828 minutes across all competitions.
Remarkably, before February has even concluded, he has already surpassed the 1,793 minutes he registered last season.
A versatile option
Furthermore, a significant part of this rise comes from his versatility.
Having featured in almost half of his matches as a centre-back, he has adapted to different defensive roles without fuss.
Statistically, his interventions have increased from 33.2 to 58.3 per game. Accurate passes have jumped from 20 to 43.4, with his completion rate improving from 85% to 90%.
Recoveries are up from 1.5 to 2.1, clearances from 1 to 2.4, and duels won from 1.8 to 2.8 per match.
These are not minor improvements. In fact, they show growth in reading the game, confidence in possession, and strength in defensive battles.