The Ernesto Valverde era at Barcelona now has a start date: July 12
The coach has given the players the date they're due back in for pre-season
Only Ter Stegen, Andre Gomes and Denis Suárez are expected to be missing
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde confirmed to the first team squad on Thursday that they are due back for preseason training on July 12. That was always the date pencilled in by the club for medical tests ahead of the new campaign, keeping in mind it’s a week before they head to the United States. However, Valverde was always going to have the final say.
On Thursday, the former Athletic Club coach gave the green light to the date and the club will soon confirm that the ‘Valverde Era’ will officially begin on July 12. The players, as well as all first team employees, have received confirmation of the date via Whatsapp.
Valverde will be fortunate in that from Day One he will have the majority of his players available as there’s no World Cup, European Championships or Copa America taking place this summer. In principle there are only three players who won’t be in on that date. Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Andre Gomes will take part in the Confederations Cup with Germany and Portugal respectively, while Denis Suarez is with the Spain U21s at the Euros in Poland between June 17 and June 30.
Preseason promises to be as intense as ever, with Barça facing Madrid three times. They will meet them first in Miami in the International Champions Cup and then twice in the Spanish Super Cup. They will also face Juventus and Manchester United in the States and Chapecoense in the Joan Gamper Trophy at Camp Nou between August 5 and 8.
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