10 key quotes from the football world about Samuel Umtiti
Samuel Umtiti has been highly praised since joining Barcelona. His profile fits that of Barceona's requirement for a centre-back perfectly. The football world has been speaking about him...
"He has a lot of quality, he's young and he's arrived with a lot of enthusiasm" - Gerard Pique, his centre-back partner. His game matches that of the Spaniard perfectly.
"He's mature at 22 years old" - France coach Didier Deschamps, speaking about Umtiti, whom he picked in the Euros final.
"He passed all the filters" - sporting director Robert Fernandez, who knows it's difficult to sign a good Barça centre-back. "He has a maturity out of the the norm," he added.
"Play how you know" - Luis Enrique told Umtiti this before the Joan Gamper. And the Frenchman did so on the pitch.
"He gives us life" - Sergi Darder, of Lyon, spoke wonders of his former team-mate. "He can be the best in the world," he added. "It's like he's 30 but he's only 22."
"He's a world class player" - Eric Abidal. Who better to comment on a French Barcelona defender?
"If Umtiti's here it's because he deserves it" - Patrice Evra defended Umtiti's presence in the France squad
"Barcelona should invite me to the Champions League final for gifting them Umtiti" - Lyon's president on the cheap price Barcelona got him for.
"He has great potential" - Sergio Busquets, who has found in Umtiti a firm ally when it comes to constructing the play.
"He has the quality to start for Barcelona" - Andre-Pierre Gignac, who has to play against him in France training.