Barcelona manager Hansi Flick could hardly have been clearer in his pre-match press conference before the game against Levante: he wanted Gerard Martin’s situation resolved as soon as possible. Idea...
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick could hardly have been clearer in his pre-match press conference before the game against Levante: he wanted Gerard Martin’s situation resolved as soon as possible. Ideally, by this weekend.
Yet despite the coach’s wish, the 23-year-old defender has not been registered in time, and did not travel with the squad to Valencia for the second round of La Liga fixtures.
Disappointment for Martin and Flick but club remain confident
Barcelona continue to work on finalising the last departures in order to free up room within the salary cap.
Oriol Romeu, Inaki Pena and Hector Fort must all leave before Barça can register Gerard Martin, Wojciech Szczesny and Roony Bardghji.
As per a report from SPORT, inside the club, there remains optimism that Martin, along with Bardghji and Szczesny, will all be registered before the transfer window shuts on 1 September.
As previously reported, the termination of Romeu’s contract would immediately allow Martin’s registration. An agreement between the club and the player is said to be close, but was not completed in time for the Levante clash.
Flick wanted Martin to be registered for Levante clash. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)
Martin, therefore, misses out on a squad that does include the returning Robert Lewandowski. Patience will be required for a little longer.
The question is whether this can be achieved in time for the third league fixture, away to Rayo Vallecano on 31 August, or if Flick will have to wait until after the September international break to count on them.
A utility option for the manager
Following the surprise departure of Inigo Martíiez this summer, Flick highlighted the importance of Gerard Martin, as a versatile option to fill in at centre-back, instead of seeking a market replacement.
Martin was trusted heavily last season by the German tactician when Alejandro Balde was sidelined through injury. During pre-season this summer, he even trialled him as a centre-back – an experiment that has since convinced the coach of his adaptability.
For Barça, the solution is clear: the young defender can be a valuable utility player. All that remains is for them to secure his registration soon.
Category: General Sports
