Signing Barcelona's Martin Montoya would prove Liverpool mean UCL business

arcelona’s Montoya controls the ball past Ajax Amsterdam Klaassen during their Champions League group H soccer match at Amsterdam Arena.

The La Masia academy is world-renowned. Barcelona have been able to bring so many players through this youth system that they have, in the past, played with 11 products of their academy on the pitch at the same time.

The current crop of La Masia graduates are just beginning to make their mark on the Barcelona squad – Marc Bartra and Cristian Tello are featuring on a regular basis, whilst Sergi Roberto and Jonathan Dos Santos are also beginning to infiltrate the Barcelona first team.

Another of these players is Martin Montoya. The young defender has recently been linked, by The Guardian amongst others, with a move to Liverpool; with Montoya’s contract expiring at the end of the season, it is possible that a move to the Premier League could be imminent.

The full-back’s defensive abilities suggest that he would be an excellent addition to the Liverpool squad. Montoya has, in his six appearances this season, he’s won 13 of his 21 tackles, this is the tenth highest in the Barcelona team. When Montoya’s young age (22) is taken into account, it is evident that he would be a terrific addition to Brendan Rodgers’ squad.

The 22-year-old’s aerial ability is fairly good, too. In a league which requires so many headers, Montoya’s skills in the air have to be up to scratch if he makes the move to Liverpool; this season, the Spaniard has won 55% of his headers. This shows he can be effective in off the ball situations where he his physical strength is demanded more than his composure on the ball.

Montoya’s passing ability would also fit in well with Liverpool’s team; in Rodgers’ possession orientated philosophy, the Spaniard’s pass completion rate of 82% would blend in well. The ability to retain possession of the ball is something which Montoya has been taught for years as he progressed through Barcelona’s ranks and would allow him to adapt smoothly to the Liverpool squad.

Overall, the statistics suggest that a move for Montoya would be a wise decision for Liverpool; the Spaniard should improve in the next few years and building on the strong foundations which he has laid down will make Montoya an excellent defender, whether for Liverpool or otherwise.