Everything Liverpool fans need to know about £8m target: Martin Montoya Profile

After a textbook rise through the Spanish system, 22-year-old Martin Montoya finds his career at a crossroads. Potential suitors queuing up for Montoya’s signature, but the right back faces a difficult decision as to whether to try and break into the first team of his beloved Barcelona, or pursue a career abroad.

Born in the Catalonian coastal city of Gava, Martin Montoya joined the local Barcelona youth team at the age of 8. From an early age, Montoya showed the skills, pace and commitment Barcelona are built upon and successfully made the graduation into more senior teams as many of his peers fell away. He has also represented Spain from every age group from under 17 to under 23, as well as being capped for Catalonia and featuring for the Spanish Olympic team at last year’s games.

Montoya’s greatest assets are his pace and dribbling ability, allowing him to sprint away from defenders and start attacks and counter attacks. He likes to roam forward and cut inside from the right-flank often teeing up a lethal shot. After making his debut in 2010, Montoya has started to appear more frequently for the Barca first team this season, so-far making 13 starts. His attacking instincts allow Montoya to fit straight into the Barcelona side, often as a back-up for Dani Alves.

However, whilst Montoya has the pace to match the Brazilian, he is often let down by his passing and crossing ability. Montoya can often frustratingly get into a good position before wasting a chance with a poor final ball. Also, whilst he is able to roam forward against lower opposition, his defending is often a liability exposed against stronger sides. For now Montoya has to be content with the odd run-out, as the ability of Alves and also the resurgence of Adriano, has limited his first team chances.

Montoya is a strong reserve choice for Barcelona, but now at the age of 22, the 2013-14 season is crucial in defining the Spaniards career. The number 22 could find new employers in the form of Liverpool, Chelsea or Tottenham, all who have been linked to the Catalan, and if he is to move to the Premiership it is vital he does so sooner, rather than later, the with pace of the English game often proving difficult for an older Spanish player to adapt to. However Montoya does have the arsenal to make an impact oversees, and could prove a good addition to any top English side. The alternative is sticking to boyhood Barcelona, where he may eternally struggle against superior players. But if he is to improve his passing and tacking, there is no telling how good Montoya could prove to be, wherever he decides to play.  

Will Mata Follow @footyfriends