Unexpected Flick favourite set for new Barcelona contract

Inigo Martinez will trigger an automatic extension in his contract if Hansi Flick keeps utilising him, according to Spanish media.

From zero to hero, Martinez has enjoyed an unexpected career revival under new Barcelona boss Flick. Barely used last season and deemed surplus to requirements ahead of the summer, the 33-year-old’s fortunes completely turned around when the German came on board.

After watching Martinez in pre-season, Flick was convinced that the former Athletic Club defender was the man to replace the injured Ronald Araujo rather than former Man City star Eric Garcia, who had impressed on loan at Girona last term.

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Martinez has been mightily impressive alongside wonderkid Pau Cubarsi this term and he even scooped UEFA’s Man of the Match award in the Champions League rout of Red Star Belgrade earlier this week.

Flick’s side have become renowned for their expertly drilled offside trap and this requires defenders to have intelligence, awareness and discipline. The veteran centre-back has seamlessly slotted into the side and made people forget that he was on the exit ramp ahead of the season.

Martinez set for contract extension

Martinez would be out of contract at the end of the season, but according to Relevo, there is an automatic extension in his deal that will be triggered if he plays 60 per cent of the games this campaign.

An unthinkable feat just a few months ago, it now looks almost guaranteed to happen, though there is still bound to be some chopping and changing in the winter.

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With Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen set to return to full fitness, Barcelona will have to think long and hard about which players to register for LaLiga in January.

The two defenders’ injuries previously enabled the club to simply not register them, thereby freeing up space for new signing Dani Olmo, but they likely won’t be able to repeat this trick again without some potential complications.

However, on current form, there is no reason for Flick to drop Martinez, meaning that he is set for an additional year in Catalunya.