Barcelona missing veteran defender following summer exit, says ex-star – ‘He was fundamental’ | OneFootball

As Barcelona head into El Clasico this weekend, the team’s defence stands out as their weakest link on the field and a danger against a forward line that boasts of Vinícius Jr and Kylian Mbappe.

After all, the Catalans’ backline is far from as secure as it was last season with several teams finding ways to unlock the high defensive line. While multiple factors are responsible, the departure of Inigo Martinez is seen as one of the primary ones.

The veteran star was, after all, one of the leaders at the back for Barcelona and a wonderful partner for Pau Cubarsi. His departure in the summer came as a shock for Flick and left him with a void that he is still struggling to fill.

Martinez’s absence is felt, says Salinas

Speaking to the media earlier this week, former Barcelona forward Julio Salinas commented on the situation with Barcelona’s defence and linked it directly to the departure of Inigo Martinez.

“It is an issue that will be present all season. I won’t understand the exit even if Deco and company explain it to me. He arrived for free in Barcelona and made a strong effort because he could not be registered,” he began.

“He deserves everything, he has played and has never complained. He has played at a great level and for me he was a very important leader of the team,” he added on the veteran’s importance last season.

Salinas then admitted that while the club were right to let him go when he wished to, there was also a part of the story where the club needed the departure for their financial situation.

Inigo left Barcelona in the summer. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

“When an important offer arrives, he deserves that you let him go, but I think he leaves to alleviate the registration problems at Barça.”

“If they offered him two more years of contract, which maybe they couldn’t, I think he wouldn’t have left,” he added.

Elaborating on the importance of Martinez in the young dressing room as a leader and a teacher, Salinas said,

“He was a teacher for the kids and his departure is very noticeable. The season is very long, there are injuries, many things, but this is how it is.”

“Inigo is 35 years old, he was finishing his contract and has the opportunity of his life in Arabia, but if you had offered him two years, I sincerely believe that he would not have left,” he added.

Finally, he called the player ‘fundamental’ to the team for not only his quality but also his physical presence and distribution.

“Inigo was fundamental to this team because, beyond being an experienced player, he was physically strong and handled all aspects of the game, both aerial play and ball distribution, as well as movement and leadership,” he concluded.

Source: Mundo Deportivo