Player season reviews: Gerrard Pique
The concept of a central defender with kill seems to have been a long forgotten talent. There has arguably been no prominent influential centre back since Franz Beckenbauer. His determination, technique and agility seemed to have been the last time a defender possessed such a pool of talent.
However it seems that all hope is not lost. Gerrard Pique who currently plays for Barcelona seems to have rejuvenated that class of centre backs. Pique parted ways with Manchester United in 2008 and headed for Spain to play for Barcelona. Pique was a part of the Barcelona squad that managed to fit right into the Barcelona first team by 2009 and cemented his position in the back four with his partner, Carlos Puyol. Both these players play together on a domestic club level and internationally for Spain. Their attributes have brought out the best in each other and has managed to see their games develop even further then they normally would have.
Pique helped Barcelona win two consecutive La Liga titles. He did so by forming a defensive wall at the back. Last season Barcelona conceded just twenty four goals. That was the least number of goals any major team in Europe let in and was a record in its own.
Despite the fact that the team was controversially knocked out by Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan, Pique managed to score a goal in that game that many strikers dream of scoring. He performed a ‘pirouette’ around the on rushing keeper, Julio Cesar and followed it by blasting the ball into the back of the net.
However the Catalonian born defender did manage to have success this season after all. He won the treble with Barcelona. Winning the treble is one of the greatest achievements possible with a team, however considering Barcelona won six titles the year before it seemed like step backwards.
Pique’s success didn’t stop there however. He went on to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2010 with Spain. Spain lost their opening match against Switzerland. Most people blamed the Spanish defence for that loss. Pique took the experts criticism to heart. He tapped a source of form that everyone knew the player possessed but was just holding back. Spain went on to have the best defence at the tournament. They conceded only two goals throughout the tournament. Most of this was due to the superior defensive work in the Spanish team.
The two players responsible for this defensive wall were, Pique and Puyol. Pique was nominated to be one of the best defenders at the tournament. He managed to end his season on a high by lifting the first ever World Cup trophy that the Spanish team had won.
Pique has proved over the course of his stay at Barcelona that he could prove to be one of the greatest players in the club’s history. He has managed to achieve successes in his short spell at the club that players don’t achieve over the course of their whole career.
He has also become a part of the greatest Spanish squad of all time and he has his World Cup winners medal to prove that.
Pique is also aware that the fan’s will be expecting the same success from the team this coming term. He is also aware that Jose Mourinho is now the new manager of Real Madrid. When asked how he felt about the coming season Pique responded by saying, “The reigning champions are always seen as favorites. We are the favorites and we accept that. It is true that Madrid strengthened well and that they only have the league to focus on now. They will be difficult opponents but I am confident that we will regain the title.”
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