Luis Enrique noted Barcelona always consider how they can improve the squad and, if anyone does join in January, players may leave to make way.
Barca will add Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal to the squad once the transfer window opens and their transfer embargo is served, but Enrique was asked about other additions at his pre-Real Betis Press conference.
“It’s possible [players leave in January]. Everything is contemplated. If there are arrivals there can be exits. You can always improve the squad,” AS quotes the trainer as saying, before touching on Denis Suarez specifically and Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan too.
“He looks good. He lacked minutes at Sevilla but he’s doing very well at Villarreal. He could be an interesting player.
“I see Arda and Vidal with a huge desire to help the team and participate. They have integrated well from the start and now we can enjoy their qualities on the pitch. I’m sure they’ll help.”
Enrique was also asked about a player who was signed by Barca, for the B team, and immediately released when two-year-old anti-Barca and Catalonia tweets surfaced.
“I’m not surprised [about Sergi Guardiola]. There have been other recent cases. Everything you do [on a social network] is permanent and you have to be very careful with what you post,” he argued.
The visit of Betis is Barca’s first fixture after Christmas and after winning the Club World Cup, and Enrique touched on both factors.
“There’s always a concern when you return from a few days off. But everyone has been very fresh, eager and ambitious and it makes me very optimistic. They’re on the same line,” he said of the players.
“The goal is the same as last year, or even better physical condition. We approach Betis the same way as if it wasn’t the last game of the year. We’re able to pull away in the table from our rivals. It will be an attractive and stimulating game.
“Betis dare to play. They have a high-pressure system and I have doubts about the system Pepe Mel uses. Whenever they’ve come to Camp Nou they have generated problems.”
