America, here we come
(from left) Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar attending Barcelona’s training session at the Joan Gamper Sports Centre in Spain yesterday. New coach Ernesto Valverde is preparing the team to play Juventus, Manchester United and Real Madrid in a lightning tour of the United States next week. –
BARCELONA: New Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde laughed off the idea of bringing in new players saying the best signings were the players already in the dressing room.
“I’m more than happy with the way things stand,” said Valverde yesterday when pressed on the potential signing of Paris St Germain midfielder Marco Verratti.
“Happy with the players, happy with their work and their attitude,” he said as his players prepare for their trip to the United States tomorrow.
“I really don’t care about any player anywhere else,” he said, knowing fans will be keen to win back the Spanish League title and indeed the Champions League, both won by their arch-rivals Real Madrid.
“Even if you might argue we need backup in certain areas,” he said, adding Barcelona had no offers on the table for any of their players either.
“For me, the best signings are the players I already have in my team.”
He said Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, Barcelona’s attacking trident were “a huge factor in the intimidation of our rivals”.
“Messi is a unique player and wherever I play him he will flourish.
“He will continue in the role he has always had, he’ll continue to do that very well,” he said.
Over the last two seasons Valverde’s predecessor Luis Enrique had sometimes strained relations with Messi, who he pulled deeper and then pushed out to the right.
“We need him both as a creator of chances and a finisher of chances, where he really makes the difference,” insisted the former Athletic Bilbao coach.
“As for Neymar – he’s doing very well in his current role, although we know he too could play in other roles,” said Valverde of the 25-year-old Brazil captain.
Barcelona play Juventus, Manchester United and Real Madrid in a tour of the United States next week. — AFP