Monday 6 April 2015 18:45, UK
Barcelona’s Gerard Pique is the best defender in the world on his day, not just in La Liga, insists Terry Gibson
The Spaniard’s recent performances have been hugely impressive, helping Barcelona gain a four-point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga with nine games remaining.
And despite his defensive partner Jeremy Mathieu grabbing the limelight with the winning goal at Celta Vigo on Sunday and the opener in last months' Clasico, Gibson says Pique is at the very top of his game.
He told La Liga Weeky Podcast: “You say the best in La Liga, I think on his day when he’s fully concentrated he’s the best in the world.
“I can’t think of a player I would rather have as a central defender, of his age, experience and ability that I would rather have. He’s at the top of his game.
“Pique made a saving tackle a minute before his defensive partner Mathieu opened the scoring [at Celta]. He was brilliant against Real Madrid.
"So to have your centre backs playing so well and being crucial to results shows how competitive games are. It was a really important result for Barcelona.”
Gibson notes how Pique’s criticism in recent years has centred around his life off the field and resulting character on it.
But the Revista de La Liga pundit admits the 28-year-old has stepped up to lead the Catalan giants in the absence of retired club legend Carles Puyol.
“Graham [Hunter] has mentioned in the past that Pique hasn’t entirely been focused on football.
“He’s that type of guy, he can be a little bit laid back a little bit complacent. In the past he’s had Puyol to keep him on the straight and narrow, but now he has to be the leader and he has been.”
