Ivan Rakitic back in favour under Quique Setien
He has played more in recent games and has more minutes with Setien than Valverde
Ivan Rakitic said in November 2019 that "they have taken my ball away". He was no longer a starter for Ernesto Valverde. While he is still in and out under Quique Setien, he's definitely more involved now. He scored a vital goal against Athletic Club to win Barcelona the game.
Barcelona know his signing is more than amortized. The club wanted to force him out and make money ahead of his contract expiring next summer. "I'm not a sack of potatoes," said Rakitic. The club's relationship with him is not in its best moment. Ivan would have liked to go back to Sevilla but the club won't make a big investment for him, knowing he will walk free within a year.
Setien has used him for 665 minutes in the 12 league games since he took over, more than the 607 that Valverde picked him in this season, across 10 games from the 19 that he was in charge of.
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