Gerard Martín Confirms Permanent Switch to Centre-Back at Barcelona
Barcelona's Gerard Martín has openly acknowledged that he now fully identifies as a central defender, indicating that he no longer anticipates playing at left-back.
Martín, a formidable stopper, emerged as a standout performer for Barcelona last season. Under the guidance of coach Hansi Flick, the Spanish international was frequently deployed in a central defensive role due to a shortage of players in that position. This tactical adjustment proved to be a turning point for his career.
Since that transition, Martín has consistently delivered strong performances.
In the 2025/26 season, the 24-year-old featured in 50 matches across all competitions, solidifying his status as one of Barcelona's most crucial and dependable players from his new position at the heart of the defence.
In a recent interview with Mundo Deportivo, Martín was questioned about the permanence of his positional change.
The former Cornellà academy graduate confirmed his commitment to the new role:
“Initially, my thoughts were divided between the two positions as I kept alternating, but now I am settled as a centre-back. I believe I had a very successful year, though there's always room for improvement.”
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