Hansi Flick reconsidering 23-year-old Barcelona defender as left centre-back option | OneFootball

According to a recent update from Javier Gascon in Mundo Deportivo, it has come to light that Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is revisiting an option he explored during the summer friendlies, which is to deploy Gerard Martin as a left centre-back.

This consideration comes following Alejandro Balde’s return to full fitness, giving Flick more flexibility in defensive options.

It must be noted that Balde could start at left-back against Girona, having come off the bench in the previous matches against PSG and Sevilla.

His recovery has reopened the possibility of repositioning Martin, who was already tested in the centre-back role during pre-season.

Notably, when Inigo Martinez left for Al-Nassr, Barcelona found themselves without a left-footed centre-back, prompting Flick to try Martin in that position.

For what it is worth, the 23-year-old did not look out of place during those experiments.

Restoring balance in defence

Gerard Martin could return to the centre-back position. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

With youth player Jofre Torrents ready to act as cover for Balde on the wing, the question now is whether Martin can be a viable option in the centre of defence.

Currently, Barcelona’s first team is well-stocked with right-footed centre-backs, including Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen.

However, the squad lacks a left-footed centre-back, creating a potential imbalance in defence.

By moving Martin into this role, Flick could maintain greater balance across the backline while keeping two right-footed players from occupying the central positions simultaneously.

The experiment is likely to give Barcelona the tactical versatility needed, especially in high-stakes matches like the upcoming clash with Girona and Olympiacos.

As such, Martin’s deployment as a left centre-back could provide Barcelona with a crucial defensive solution while ensuring that the squad maintains its structural balance.