10 key quotes from the football world about Samuel Umtiti

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.