Former Barcelona captain Jose Mari Bakero feels the club needs a central defender following injuries to Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol.
Bakero, a midfielder who played for the Catalans between 1988 and 1997, believes the enforced absence of the Spanish internationals has left La Blaugrana a little exposed at the back.
“Barca should have signed a centre-back, as I said in the summer. However, to play in the centre of defence is very difficult at Barcelona, more than any other club in the world,” he told Esports COPE
The 49-year-old, who has coached Real Sociedad, Polonia Warsaw and Lech Poznan, also commented on Pepe’s remarks after last week’s El Clasico that some Barcelona players were ‘theatrical’, saying they were nothing new.
“There have always been statements like Pepe’s and I remember the Hugo Sanchez era. Pepe is important to his team because of his mentality, aggression, and the confidence he gives his Coach.
“Even so, off the pitch I think he has had too much to say. He is a man who says it as he sees it.”
He then had words of praise for youngster Martin Montoya, who replaced the injured Dani Alves early on in the 2-2 draw with Real Madrid.
“Alves is not having the best of times but he will recover his best form. Montoya showed he has great personality and is very confident.
“He played really well in El Clasico,” added Bakero.
