No more part-timing? Samuel Umtiti back in business
The Frenchman had gone over 15 months without playing two games in a week
Starting from zero is never easy and less so when you’re a world champions, but Samuel Umtiti had no other choice. His knee problems, derived from forcing his way through the 2018 World Cup which he won with France, have seen him operate on a virtually part-time basis over the past season and a half. After a long wait, Umtiti is back.
He started against Dortmund and with that he played his second game in just four days, something that had not happened since September last year, when he faced Real Sociedad and PSV Eindhoven.
Umtiti has played this season against Eibar, Celta and Leganes. For now the law is clear. If he plays, Barca win. Four from four.
Big Sam's peformances have been positive. He had Brandt and Reus in his pocket and even took risks bringing the ball out as you need to do at Barca.
Of course, with his knee depending, it seems Umtiti is ready to play more and is once again a real option for Ernesto Valverde. Umtiti is ready to battle with Lenglet for his place back - or play with his compatriot and rest Pique.
Umtiti will likely be back on the bench against Atletico at the Wanda but could face Mallorca from the start after that. It's a delicate balance for Valverde to work out.
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