Gerard Martin talks Barcelona rise, Lamine, Espart, Szczesny, summer signings, contract renewal, Ballon d’Or

Gerard Martin talks Barcelona rise, Lamine, Espart, Szczesny, summer signings, contract renewal, Ballon d’Or Gerard Martin has gone from arriving at Barcelona from Cornella to becoming an increasingly important part of Hansi Flick’s defence, and the defender has now opened up about the rapid change in his career. In an extensive interview with SPORT , Martin reflected on his switch from full-back to centre-back, the pressure of playing for Barça , his relationship with Lamine Yamal and his ambitions for the future. Barcelona’s strong start to the season has also given Martin plenty to feel positive about, although the extended international break is not something he particularly welcomes. “We have started very well, and now we have to stop for a few days, but we will return with enthusiasm,” he began. The defender has maintained his place at centre-back after making the position his own last season. “Yes. Last year I had a great year as a centre-back, and this year I will try to continue to maintain the level.” From Cornella to Barcelona regular Martin’s rise has been remarkably quick. Just a few years ago, he was still playing for Cornella and now he is competing for a place in one of Europe’s biggest teams. Gerard Martin’s rise has been phenomenal. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) “Well, it’s true that it’s changed quite a lot, but I think I’m lucky enough to take it in my stride, and that’s also helped me to be here now.” That rise has also exposed him to the unique pressure surrounding Barcelona. Good performances can bring praise, while even small mistakes can attract intense criticism. “I try not to read too much of it because, at the end of the day, I have to focus on my own game. But it’s true that I know that the slightest mistake I make will put me a bit in the spotlight. “But I take it in my stride because, ultimately, I know what I’ve been doing and what I’m doing, and I’m at peace with myself.” The Barcelona defender is aware that he does not always receive the same attention as some of Barcelona’s bigger names. “Well, it may well be that I’m a bit underrated by the outside world. But what matters to me is that my teammates, my family and the manager value me… That’s what I focus on.” The change in position has been central to his development. Flick first experimented with Martin at centre-back during the Asian tour in Japan last year. “That was on the Asian tour, in Japan. He did tell me he wanted to try me out as a centre-back for one match, and I did well. “From then on, I’d sometimes train as a centre-back, and there came a point when he picked me for a match; it went well, and from then on, well, I’ve stayed there.” Martin quickly felt comfortable in the role. “Yes. Ultimately, from the very first match I played there, I felt quite comfortable. “I knew I’d have to adapt a bit to the manager’s approach, because it’s a bit different moving from full-back to centre-back, but I was confident because, as long as I felt comfortable, I knew I could perform there.” Speaking further, Martin reveals the player who came up with the ‘Maldini’ nickname along the way. “Yeah, Eric in particular always calls me that. A few others do too, but Eric always calls me that.” Martin has high praise for Yamal and young players Having recently stepped up from the reserves himself, Martin has kept an eye on the younger players trying to make the same journey. Gerard Martin has nothing but praise for Lamine Yamal. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) “Well, in pre-season we were lucky enough to see quite a few, and I quite fancied Orian (Goren) and Ebrima.  “The thing is, they’re very, very young, but yes, I fancied them. They’ve still got a long way to go, but I quite like both of them.” Xavi Espart is another youngster now making an impression after moving into a new position at left-back. “He’s started really well. It’s true that he’d almost always played in midfield and now, with us, he’s playing at full-back. He’s doing very well, considering he’s never played on his weaker foot before.  “I try to help him with a few things regarding positioning or pressing, but when it comes to actually playing, it’s up to him.” Furthermore, Martin also sees a different side of Lamine Yamal to the one perceived by the outside world. “It’s tricky, but it suits me fine. At the end of the day, the more demanding the training sessions are, the better. And Lamine is a very young lad who, to the outside world, is perhaps seen in a different light to how he really is.  “I, who am with him every day, can see that he’s very mature and, even though he might not seem it, he’s humble. With everything he’s doing, he fully deserves everything he’s achieving.” And when asked whether Yamal should win the Ballon d’Or , Martin was unequivocal. “Yes, yes. For me, he’s the best player, so he should win it.” Martin assesses Barcelona’s summer arrivals The 23-year-old defender also offered his thoughts on several of Barcelona’s new signings, starting with Karim Adeyemi. “Yes, yes, he is. He really is a very funny bloke.” On Adeyemi: “He’s a really down-to-earth bloke, very funny, always with a smile on his face and there for the team.” On Anthony Gordon: “He seems more serious, but he’s funny too. It’s true that he’s perhaps a bit shyer, but I get on really well with him and he’s been performing at a very high level since he joined.” On Jesse Bisiwu: “He’s a very young lad, he’s got loads of talent, but he’s also, I don’t know, born in 2008, I think. He’s got loads of talent, but he’s very young and he’s still finding his feet.” Rodri has made a particularly strong impression because of his experience and familiarity with possession-based football. “He’s a top player and has always been used to that style of play – keeping possession – which is why he’s adapting so quickly with us.  Gerard Martin reveals Adeyemi is quite funny. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) “He’s got loads of experience and you can really see that in key moments of matches.” Martin even remembered his reaction when the transfer became public. “Well, I think I was in the changing room; a news alert popped up and I said: ‘Damn, he’s really coming’.” Hamza Abdelkarim, meanwhile, has impressed with his attitude. “Hamza is a bit shyer, but he’s a very, very hard-working lad and, to be honest, a really good person. He’s got a lot of potential too.” Szczesny, Inter heartbreak and Martin’s Barcelona future One of the more personal moments of the interview concerned Wojciech Szczesny and the aftermath of the painful Champions League defeat to Inter. “He’s got a lot of experience. He sat down next to me and asked me why I was crying, told me to look at where I’d been a year and a half ago and what I’d achieved, and that I’d lose plenty of matches during my career, but what matters is what I achieve.” Martin considers that Inter semi-final one of the defining matches of his career. “Yes, because of the setting and what it meant; I do think it could have been a defining match and it’s surely my best match.” His fitness record has also been remarkable, although he did suffer one problem during the summer. “Well, I broke my hand whilst on international duty in the summer, but it’s true.  “I don’t know, I always try to look after myself as best I can and, so far, I’ve been lucky enough not to have suffered any injuries, and I hope it stays that way.” There is also optimism surrounding his future at Barcelona, with renewal talks progressing . “I’d be delighted to stay here for a few more years. I’ll soon be on my 100th appearance, so hopefully there’ll be another 100. And as many as there are.” Asked whether he would sign a lifetime contract, Martin had no hesitation. “Yes, of course. Well, I’d have to earn it, but yes, yes. Things are going well for now.” The defender’s final message concerned Barcelona’s Champions League ambitions.  Rodri had questioned whether Barça should be considered favourites, but Martin is not concerned about outside expectations. “To be honest, I don’t really care whether we’re labelled favourites or not, because our aim is still to win the Champions League.  “I don’t think being labelled favourites puts us under any extra pressure, nor does not being labelled as such take any pressure off us, because we approach it the same way either way.  “And, well, let them say what they like from the outside. We’ll stick to our game plan and do everything we can to win it,” he concluded.