Making a Case for Gerard Pique at Barcelona

Gerard Pique has had his critics while playing for Barcelona this season.

A disastrous World Cup with Spain gave rise to finger pointing, and Luis Enrique has made a statement of intent by benching the player at will so far this season.

It's a tactic that seemed to worked wonders as the elegant defender put in a man-of-the-match performance against APOEL Nicosia after being dropped for the previous match.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Similarly, playing no part against Paris Saint-Germain led to another star performance against Rayo Vallecano last time out, per WhoScored.com.

However, Pique hasn't allowed his level to drop for some while; the standard at which he is operating at in 2014/15 compares favourably to others in his position.

He was much maligned for long periods last season, but if we look at the graphic below, in comparison to Barca's other centre-backs, we can see how player criticism is often misdirected.

"

Stats of Vermaelen, Pique, Mathieu and Bartra. pic.twitter.com/g3iiKQBPH1 [via @semprebarcaa]

— La Masia Cule (@ars_cule) August 9, 2014"

Such statistics show that while Pique may not be at the level he was operating at two or three years ago, he still represents a significant upgrade on other central defenders that Barca have within their ranks.

Marc Bartra still has much to learn before he can be considered a regular starter, Mathieu is a converted left-back, while Javier Mascherano's natural habitat is a little further forward in central midfield.

Only Thomas Vermaelen, when fit, could provide a headache for Pique.

Daniel Tejedor/Associated Press

To allow the latter to leave for Manchester United or elsewhere, per Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express, would therefore be a huge mistake.

Dips in form are a natural part of any footballer's life, and to that end, Pique is no different to any of his contemporaries.

Indeed, it's entirely fair to suggest that during the back end of last season, the entire Barca side didn't perform anywhere near the level they should have. Marca noted at the time:

"

Their results aren't the worst thing at the club. The worst thing is the sense of apathy transmitted by the team.

Of not caring, of impotence, of over-confidence. An attitude the coach doesn't like one little bit.

[...] Training sessions are not as intense as [Tata Martino] would like. Barcelona is showing it's worst side after many years at the top.

"

So when supporters or analysts look to manipulate performance criteria to their own ends, it's not only wrong to do so—it's entirely incorrect.

The facts don't lie. On current form, Pique is the best in his position at Barcelona. Period.

Enrique is a wily old student of the game and knows exactly how to continue to get the best out of the player. Further, as Miles Chambers of Goal.com writes, the manager is very happy with Pique's current application:

"I like it that Pique said he wants to become one of the best centre-backs in the world again, for my players to have personal challenges."

The player's relationship with singer Shakira also appears to garner more column inches than necessary, almost as if people are looking for any excuse to beat down Pique.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Every footballer deserves to be judged on what he does on the pitch alone—not on personal habits or form from last year or a few months ago.

In that regard, Pique has answered his critics quite emphatically.