Raphinha's Barcelona Teammate Gerard Martin Talks Flick's Impact on His Career

Gerard Martin, a 24-year-old Barcelona defender, has spoken about the significant impact Hansi Flick has had on his career.

What happened?

Martin revealed that Flick's decision to move him from left-back to centre-back was a turning point in his development. The change came about during the first match in Korea, where Flick told Martin he wanted to play him as a centre-back, and Martin agreed.

Why it matters for Raphinha

Martin explained that Flick's trust in him has been a key factor in his growth as a player. He said, "He's very close to us. He always tells you what he thinks, both about what you need to improve and what you're doing well." Martin also praised Flick's management style, stating that he is always keeping a close eye on the players and encourages them to be fired up and united.

What comes next?

Looking ahead to the new season, Martin insisted he is fully prepared for another demanding campaign. He said, "I feel good physically, really keen to get started again and compete." Martin also mentioned that a few of the players have been training, but it's been a bit of a laugh so far because they're on holiday. They will be getting down to business on Monday.

Martin also discussed Lionel Messi's performances at the FIFA World Cup, saying, "Messi has surprised me, in the sense that I hadn't seen him play during the year and he's turned up in really good form. We all know who Messi is, but he never ceases to amaze us." Martin also explained why he feels comfortable operating in Flick's aggressive defensive system, saying, "I haven't felt particularly exposed. It's a system I feel very comfortable in. It's risky if you compare it to other teams."

Following Inigo Martinez's departure, Martin revealed that defensive leadership is now shared between himself and Pau Cubarsi. Gerard Martin is ready to take up more responsibility.