Two reasons why Barcelona summer signing has become indispensable for Xavi – report

Iñigo Martinez arrived at Barcelona as a free agent in the summer transfer window to fill a glaring hole in a squad that lacked a left-footed center-back.

While Barcelona’s form has wavered over the past few games, the Spanish international has cemented himself as a mainstay in the starting XI, with a string of strong performances compelling Xavi to place him high in the pecking order.

His growing worth in the squad is testified by the fact that he has not only started four of Barcelona’s past five games; but also displaced Andreas Christensen in the line-up.

How has Inigo Martinez proven to be so valuable?

SPORT has shed light on the traits of the Spaniard that Xavi most admires, with his ball-playing abilities, in particular, holding him in high regard in front of the coach’s eyes.

Xavi aspires to see his center-backs be able to disrupt lines of pressure with their passes or, at the very least, provide penetration into the game.

Several times against Alaves, the former Basque player attempted to find the third man or ping long balls into the final third. His distribution and comfort in possession have been a recurring theme.

In addition, the 32-year-old takes charge and has earned the right to be the locker room leader owing to his immense experience in La Liga. The younger players benefit greatly from his guidance, and he also helps the other center-backs on the team perform better.

Defensive discipline

Although Inigo Martinez lacks the robustness to overcome structural discord and can suffer in times of chaos, as was seen in Alaves’ first goal with the defensive line all over the place, he is still an invaluable asset defensively.

He anticipates actions, holds his position well, and can clear the danger when needed.

As such, Xavi’s recent faith in the defender does not come as a surprise, with playtime a regular occurrence for Martinez ever since he recovered from his foot injury. The veteran has become indispensable for Xavi.