Kieran Gibbs has noted how Jordi Alba has changed Inter Miami’s backline since signing for the Florida franchise last year.
The former Spanish international was one of three giants of soccer to join Inter Miami in 2023 alongside Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets, with Luis Suarez joining Alba and his other former FC Barcelona teammates six months later.
Whilst Messi and Suarez have rightly taken all the headlines for their goalscoring antics, Alba has been quietly going about his business and established himself as one of the best fullbacks in MLS, with manager Tata Martino a huge fan of what he’s seen from the left-back.
And Gibbs has now shared how Alba has helped Inter Miami’s defense.
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Alba praised for raising the levels of Inter Miami’s backline
Speaking on the Inter Miami Weekly Show, the former England international hailed Alba for how high the defender has raised the quality of the Herons’ defense since signing, with the Florida franchise looking more assured at the back.
Whilst keeping clean sheets are still an issue with Inter Miami also on the receiving end of a 6-1 loss recently, there’s no denying that Alba’s arrival has made an impact at Chase Stadium, and Gibbs has enjoyed what he’s seen from the defender.
Gibbs said on Alba’s impact on Inter Miami’s defense: “With a lot of players missing, he brings experience in abundance, he’s had such an illustrious career, and it’s amazing to see him so fit still and performing at such a high level.
“I think he’s really helped the backline settle in moments of panic that would usually unsettle the team. He brings that stability, and he’s chipping in tremendously with goals and assists, he’s putting up midfielder numbers.”
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Herons pulled off a masterstroke in signing Alba
Inter Miami might slowly becoming a Barcelona retirement home, but there’s no denying that the signing of Alba was nothing short of a masterstroke from the Florida franchise.
Alba has shown he can still do a job in one of the best leagues outside of Europe, with the defender putting in good performances on a weekly basis for the Herons and doing some with a professionalism that many would expect from the fullback.
And for Inter Miami, the former Spanish international is making a big impact in huge games, with this weekend alone seeing the veteran score a key goal in a 2-1 win against Toronto FC going into MLS All-Star week and Leagues Cup.
