Hansi Flick not ruling out sticking with 23-year-old Barcelona ace ahead of key starter | OneFootball

According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, the fight for the left-back role at Barcelona is wide open, with Hansi Flick refusing to name a clear favourite between Alejandro Balde and Gerard Martin.

The German coach has been impressed with both players and sees the competition as a positive for his team.

Gerard Martin, in particular, has taken full advantage of the chances given to him whenever Balde has been rested or sidelined through injury.

His strong displays have caught the eye, making it easy to understand why Flick is willing to trust him with a regular spot in the squad.

Against PSG, Martin stood out with his defensive awareness. He won several direct duels, completed effective dribbles, and showed a sharp sense of positioning, although his attacking contributions with crosses were less frequent.

His defensive discipline, however, made a real difference on the night.

Pushing for more minutes

Gerard Martin was defensively solid against PSG. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The 23-year-old has steadily grown in importance this season, becoming a starter against Valencia and keeping his place in the following matches against Newcastle United, Celta Vigo, Oviedo, and Real Sociedad

Interestingly, all those matches ended in victories for Barcelona.

Even in moments when fatigue was visible, Flick chose not to replace him, which is a clear sign of trust in the youngster’s ability to handle pressure.

Flick himself acknowledged Martin’s development after the win over Real Sociedad. He praised the defender’s physical strength and even hinted during pre-season that Martin could be used as a centre-back if the situation demanded it.

So far, that option has not been required, but the versatility is another point in his favour.

With Balde recovering his rhythm and Martin continuing to impress, Flick has a healthy dilemma on his hands.

The open competition not only strengthens Barcelona’s squad but also pushes both players to raise their level.