Gerard Pique is having to endure the most difficult period of his career at present with a regular date on the Barcelona bench probably not quite what he had in mind at the beginning of the campaign.
As Barcelona’s most natural performer in the back line there’s much that Pique has to offer in professional terms, however there’s little doubt that Luis Enrique is utilising him correctly at this juncture — he simply isn’t worth a starting spot at present.
Focus, desire and commitment are clear prerequisites for the role and apart from his performance against Rayo Vallecano this season, those values have been sorely lacking where Pique is concerned.
Since when has a footballer playing at the highest level of the game been caught using his mobile phone during a match — as Pique was on the bench vs. Espanyol recently?!
The disrespect shown to supporters, team mates and especially the manager is frankly astonishing and if such an act of defiance was designed to force Luis Enrique’s hand, then Pique has sorely misjudged his managers strong leadership skills and character.
Indeed, given the plethora of other defensive options that Enrique now has at his disposal, Pique’s seemingly apathetic attitude won’t strengthen his case for a permanent residency at the heart of Barca’s defence. Quite the opposite in fact.
Let’s not forget either that Thomas Vermaelen is yet to make debut for the Blaugrana which potentially marginalises Pique even further.
Another international break has given the defender a chance to take stock and weigh up precisely whether he wishes to make good on his own promise to finish his career at Barca, or if he intends to give Enrique and Andoni Zubizarreta the perfect excuse to escort him out of the exit door. Something that would’ve been unthinkable just a few seasons ago.
Whilst dips in form are part and parcel of the cycle of any professional footballers career of course, it’s evident that Pique’s attitude, general play and decision making have been on the slide for a while now.
However, as he showed against Rayo and sporadically over the last few months, he can still be the consummate libero — when he wants to be. That should be reason enough for Barca to seriously consider retaining Pique’s services, at least for now.
His potential sale in the upcoming January window, if certain attributable rumours are substantiated, makes little sense. As a start point the Catalans would be unable to replace him given the FIFA ban on incoming transfers until January 2016.
Furthermore, Pique absolutely remains as first choice if he gets his head right.
Marc Bartra is still learning and honing his craft, Vermaelen is well short of fitness and a Javier Mascherano/Jeremy Mathieu partnership remains untested.
So, although there are other options available to Luis Enrique, Pique still has every opportunity to claw his way back to the summit, and remind us of his halcyon days.
An established poker player outside of his day job, the high risk, high reward strategy is obviously something that appeals to Gerard Pique.
But now is the time to be making friends and influencing people, not gambling on your future.
— The writer is a freelance football journalist
