Barcelona has been in for
Barcelona fans has been drooling over a CB signing to partner their prodigal talent Cubarsi. Nevertheless, the sporting deparment has been focusing on stringing in other deparments.
Ballity Editorial·28 August 2026
Pau Cubarsí
Ball-Playing CB · Barcelona
Elite · 1 of 88Score 96 · 99th pct
Gerard Martín
Ball-Playing CB · Barcelona
Elite · 3 of 88Score 91 · 97th pct
In the last three Champions league exits a common pattern has occured for Barcelona. In two of the three instances Cubarsi and Araujo recived a red card in a paramount stage of the knockout tie. the other occasion was in the semi final against Inter, which Barca conceded 7 goals over the two games. The conclusion of those defeast has been that a world class centerback would fix those issues and Barca decade long wait for the Champions league would be over. Flick stated in a press confernece a few months ago:
“It’s not just about defending the defensive line well, it’s also in the midfield. It’s a team issue, we have to press like we used to.”
To understand why Flick has this conviction we have to both understand what Barcelonas CB option is , what it requires to play as a cb and lastly what talent is available in the market fullfiling this requirments.
Their is three main requirements to be a good centerback at the club.
Ball progeession ability - Barcelona is one of the most possesion dominate teams in the world and to be able to do it the club needs ball secure players that can make lane breaking passes. Flick's team mostly play out of the back and press resistance is therfore paramount to not lose the ball as the last man.
Tactical Intelligence - What barca typically lacks in phsyicality tends to be compensated by their unprecedented tactical intelgience which players from la masia such as Yamal, Gavi and cubarsi has been schooled for in over a decade. To be able to understand which spaces to occupy in and out of possesion is henceforth unbeliable important to be able to play for Barcelona.
Mentality - To play in hansi flicks backlien is one of the hardest tasks in football. The backline is constantly pushing close to the half line and with fullbacks pushing forwrads and midfield their centerbacks are left exposed to transistion and long balls behind the back. Hence, it is of utmost improtant to be focused for every second of the game. Since, a lapse of lethurgy or passivness could lead to a friläge or a tackle which would result in a red card since you are the last man (happened to araujo and cubarsi in the UCL in simialr fashions.
Gerard Martin explained it best when he confessed:
“Honestly, I also find it really hard to sleep after our games. With the level of focus and stress involved, it takes hours before I can finally switch off, just like Iñigo.”
The current squad state:
Ball Playing CB
Eric García · Barcelona · LaLiga 25/26
Ball-Playing CBElite · 2 of 83Stat profile
Role-shaped metrics vs La Liga pool (radar = percentile).
- Passes97(77.40)
- Pass %95(92.2%)
- Long ball %89(54.8%)
- Press resist84(0.91)
Pau Cubarsí · Barcelona · LaLiga 25/26
Ball-Playing CBElite · 1 of 83Stat profile
Role-shaped metrics vs La Liga pool (radar = percentile).
- Passes99(92.10)
- Pass %98(94.9%)
- Long ball %93(57.3%)
- Press resist98(0.95)
mmelf
Wilfried Gnonto · Leeds United · Premier League 25/26
Playmaking WingerAverageStat profile
Role-shaped metrics vs Premier League pool (radar = percentile).
- xA17(0.06)
- Key passes58(1.51)
- Big chances35(0.17)
- Cross %12(10%)
JCOD
Stopper CB:
Pau Cubarsí · Barcelona · LaLiga 25/26
Stopper CBElite · 7 of 97Stat profile
Role-shaped metrics vs La Liga pool (radar = percentile).
- Tackles/opp76(2.04)
- Ints/prog93(2.10)
- Clear/box76(6.83)
- Aerial/box80(3.06)
- Duel win %63(60)
- Dribbled past42(0.43)
Gerard Martín · Barcelona · LaLiga 25/26
Stopper CBElite · 5 of 97Stat profile
Role-shaped metrics vs La Liga pool (radar = percentile).
- Tackles/opp89(2.52)
- Ints/prog98(2.56)
- Clear/box60(6.47)
- Aerial/box67(2.58)
- Duel win %92(66.40)
- Dribbled past43(0.42)
Reader CB:
Pau Cubarsí · Barcelona · LaLiga 25/26
Reader CBGood · 15 of 97Stat profile
Role-shaped metrics vs La Liga pool (radar = percentile).
- Quiet defending67(2.36)
- Duel win %67(60)
- Touch share38(14.1%)
- Dribbled past29(0.43)
- Turnovers33(0.17)
Gerard Martín · Barcelona · LaLiga 25/26
Reader CBGood · 37 of 97Stat profile
Role-shaped metrics vs La Liga pool (radar = percentile).
- Quiet defending17(2.90)
- Duel win %93(66.40)
- Touch share31(13.7%)
- Dribbled past30(0.42)
- Turnovers52(0.08)
As you can see. Barcelona when it comes to ball competent center back it isn't just that you need to be good with the ball you genuinely has to be one of the best to even be even. Furthermore apart from the four in the rotation right now in Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Christenssen and Garcia. Kounde is another player that is originally a CB that this seaosn is reported to play a larger share in the center of the defence. The big factor why Flick and the sporting director isnt insitent on a new cb is the rise of Gerard Martin. Gerard is in many ways exactly what flick needs as a partner to Cubarsi. Martin is 186 and left footed, not only one of the best ball playing cb but also strong as a physical presence. Martin his interception, tackles and duel win rate is one of the best in the league. From a profile standpoint this is everythign barca needs a tall, left footed, elite ball playing, more agressive physical defender that is mentally focused and to find an upgrade in this market is genuinely hard.
The three best left footed CB in the world at the moment could be argued to be Gabriel, Pacho and Gvardiol, all already star players for the best teams in the world and hence incredibly hard to purchase.
Other targets are then genuinely debatable if they would be able to be an upgrade since it is so special to play as a CB for Barcelona. Three other options are Scholetterbeck, Bastoni,
more to write kroos quote, gordon and adeyami more press after 75, fullback new cancelo and garcia and last
