Luis Enrique says he wants the players in his Barcelona squad fighting for their place as Thomas Vermaelen signs in at Camp Nou.
Enrique was speaking after Barca dispatched HJK Helsinki 6-0 in Finland and shortly before it was confirmed Vermaelen was signing from Arsenal.
The Coach was reluctant to speak directly about Vermaelen – who at that point was not officially a Barca player – but explained the decision to sign a second central defender after the arrival of Jeremy Mathieu.
“If we sign another centre-back it’s because we need it,” Mundo Deportivo reports Enrique as saying.
“The key to this team will be the fierce competition among the players to earn a spot.”
Enrique was asked if the signing of Vermaelen means Javier Mascherano’s days as a centre-back are numbered, and suggested that they may not be.
“He’s a great centre-back and a great midfielder. I love his versatility. He can play different positions,” he added.
