“Wow, what he brings to the team” - Inigo Martinez lavishes praises on 21-year-old Barcelona star

Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez has lavished praise on Marc Casado. The Spanish midfielder has exploded into the scenes this season at Camp Nou and is now one of the first players on the teamsheet.

Casado has already appeared 12 times across all competitions this season for the Catalans, registering four assists. He was key to Barcelona's triumph over Real Madrid in El Clasico last weekend.

The 21-year-old rose through the ranks with the Catalans and is under contract at the club until 2028. He has already drawn comparisons with the legendary Sergio Busquets, who left the LaLiga giants in 2023.

Speaking recently to SPORT, Martinez said that apart from Lamine Yamal, Casado is the player who has impressed him the most.

“Well, apart from Lamine, who we already saw last year what he can give, I would choose Casado. Last year we didn’t have the opportunity to see him on the field so many games to say, wow, what he brings to the team. I think he is showing the qualities, what he can give and another player coming out of the youth academy,” said Martinez.

Casado registered just four appearances under Xavi last season, but Hansi Flick's arrival at Barcelona this summer has transformed his fortunes. The German manager is fully invested in the Catalans' policy of promoting young talents from the fabled La Masia.

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Will Barcelona invest in a new midfielder in 2025?

Joshua Kimmich

Barcelona are yet to replace Sergio Busquets at Camp Nou. The Spanish midfielder left the club in the summer of 2023 as a free agent to team up with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.

The Catalans initially signed Oriol Romeu for the job, but the player proved to be a disappointment. He was shipped back to Girona on loan this summer and is no longer part of the club's plans.

The LaLiga giants could be tempted to move for Joshua Kimmich next summer. The German midfielder's contract with Bayern Munich expires at the end of this season and he hasn't signed a new deal.

His availability on a Bosman move could be a lucrative prospect for Barcelona. Kimmich could be the ideal replacement for Busquets at Camp Nou and could also be open to a reunion with Hansi Flick.

However, he is also wanted at Real Madrid, as per reports, while his exorbitant wage demands could pose a problem for the Catalans. Instead, Flick could continue to keep his faith in Marc Casado, as well as Marc Bernal, who is out with an ACL injury.