After last season’s defensive struggles, Gerard Pique was one of the casualties.
It’s slightly a stretch to call Pique “out of favor” as he’s appeared in six of Barcelona’s 11 La Liga matches this year and two other Champions League ones, even going the full 90 minutes in seven of those nine appearances, but he certainly has had a reduced role.
But despite his minimized usage, Pique has had no thoughts of leaving. None.
“Barcelona is my life and I do not plan to leave. I will continue to fight for a place,” he told Spanish internet TV channel Movistar TV. “I don’t think playing two or three matches and then leaving would be consistent.”
Luis Enrique took over this season at Barcelona, and he’s made a few changes. The new manager still has yet to figure out how to get the absolute best out of his newfound strike force in Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Luis Suarez, but at the back Barcelona has improved.
They’ve conceded just five goals all season in 11 matches, including just one at home. In fact, this season in the eight matches Pique has appeared in, the club has allowed just two measly goals, registering six clean sheets.
Compare that to 33 allowed last season in 38 La Liga matches and eight in 10 Champions League games, and things have improved greatly at the Nou Camp defensively.
While Gerard Pique may not be an easily shoo-in for the Barcelona squad week in and week out, he’s getting good playing time, and he seems to be dedicated to the club that grabbed him from Manchester United six years ago.