Ronald Koeman has explained the current situation surrounding Samuel Umtiti and Riqui Puig.
Umtiti is going through a difficult time at Barca currently despite having returned to full fitness.
The Frenchman has struggled with injury issues over recent years, but he has returned to full fitness ahead of this season.
Though, he has found himself booed by supporters over his reluctance to leave the club, and whether linked or not, Koeman is yet to give Umtiti any minutes in La Liga despite an injury to Gerard Pique.
Puig, meanwhile, is another who is yet to play any minutes, and he was another who was touted for an exit with Koeman not convinced over the 22-year-old just yet.
But both players do have a future at Camp Nou, according to Koeman, who explained the situation in an interview with Mundo Deportivo.
“I am going to give opportunities to players looking for the best for the club and looking to win a game,” he said.
“I don’t want to speak about Umtiti and Riqui (Puig) without speaking in general.
“The coach always looks for the strongest team and each (player) has their opportunities and can demonstrate in training that he deserves more opportunities.”
Speaking about Puig and Umtiti more specifically, Koeman added: “One of them, in the midfield (Puig), there are a lot of players and the other (Umitit) is in defence, and after injury.
“It’s to work and work, and Umtiti tries to give the most in training. And in the last few weeks, with the pre-season that we have done, physically, he is better than last year.
“He is good physically and Umtiti is a very good centre-back.
“And Riqui has to improve things that I have spoken to him about in pre-season.”
That suggests there will be opportunity for Umtiti this season, while Puig appears to have a long way to go to win minutes.
With this barca board they will understand koeman he is not a coach he is just want destroyed barca team piug is a good he want win but koeman he don’t want look at another coutinho,let pjanic,griezzman why barca still given this coach opportunities opportunities let him go!!!!!
Puig is a sensational player with quality performance, but playing under this idiotic coach does’nt allowed him to show us that at barca
Riqui is a sensational player, Laporta has the backing for Riqui. The problem is Koeman, Koeman is not a man to lead the New Era of Barcelona. Laporta made it clear that Koeman was not his choice coach. Laporta earmarked Naggelsman, but Naggelsman ended up at Bayern Munich. Laporta and his board could not hire a new coach for the project. But things look even darker now. We love Riqui Puig, Riqui Puig love Barcelona. We need a coach for the new era. It’s just a matter of rotating Busquets with Frenkie De Jong on the Pivot, and that will mean Pedri and Puig will be on the left and right of the midfield. Riqui Puig has shown it all.
That is the truth . Koeman doesn’t like Puig although is a young good player for his own unknown reasons. May be he doesn’t want the team to win
Puig is definitely a talented player and should be given more minutes on the field. I am bit confused by Koeman’s decision in omitting him from the team.
What kind of coach is this? Puig is one of the the most sensational Barca player in that midfield,you’ve got to give this dude the opportunity to play for the club he truly love.
This Koeman habit is making me to dislike him gradually
All this Grammer will not save you Mr. Koeman, it’s good for you to give Puig time or else you will end off loosing your job for sure! That’s my advice to you.
My name puiq doesn’t now how to tackle so why would korman used him
Barca should have sacked koeman.puig has exceptional talent.a good coach can get the best out of him.i feel sad for puig.may god bless him so that he can show the world how much talent he has got.as for umtiti he should be allowed to showcase the talent he had couple of seasons ago.
Koeman u will be sacked bc of Puig mark my words
As in ehhh
Why puig is out koeman planned? Coz he is not came from Netherlands. But we barca fans we know his advantage. Let I speak frantically Puig has a role to play whether the coach like or not. Barcas’ officials must take action against this bad efforts of Ronald koeman.
Mr Koeman, you are just a mistaking coach to Barcelona
I don’t think you went to coaching school atall
No plan for upcoming player
Did u made yourself to be a star player?
If your coaching didn’t use you when you was still a player, will you be able to record your name at Barcelona history?
You better change you plan, before I sack you…
Nonsense
Kupman is a senseless and clueless coach. Puig is a very good player to be left out. Sack Koeman! Your ugly face is a sign of misfortune to the club. You better resign BC FCB is bigger than you. Go to division two.
Koeman’s man management is a joke. I don’t think he’ll ever win Liga and definitely not UCL cause his methods are outdated and backwards. I just hope this is really his last season at Barca cause we need someone more like Ten Haag, until Xavi is ready.
Definitly this koeman is not a coach if not,he chould have neva said puig deosn’t talented enouph to be giveing minutes at barcelona.laporta plese get him sack
Why is Barca still wasting time withe koeman. He should be sacked and they should bring back our Xavi because he is the one that can lead this Barca new team now.
####Koeman must go
Ruig puig is a good player but he did not have a coach that give his self opportunity
Is nonsense coach
Koeman, we don’t need you any longer leave us now.
I wish puig go and have his dreams achieve than to be under this good for nothing coach.
this coach is going to be fired bcz of Puig, i am warning him,
This Site Is Good
Ronald Koeman
This idiot coach must not use puig against bayarn