Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has praised the performances of Ivan Rakitic in a hint that he may stay at the club beyond January.
Rakitic had started just one of the club’s opening 17 matches this season but has now started in four successive games – which have all brought victories.
The central midfielder impressed against Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, Real Mallorca and Inter, and may yet stay at the club despite strong links of a move away in January.
“I see him the same as the others. We are playing many games and we are always going to be asked about the markets,” Valverde told his pre-match press conference on Friday, as cited by Marca.
“Ivan has started to play and participate regularly and if he does it is because he is succeeding.”
The Croatian starred in the recent 3-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League alongside Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong in a midfielder trio.
It is claimed that their presence ensured Barca had the ability to pressure the opposition and push them into mistakes in costly positions, allowing their attacking trident to pounce.
That particular three are said to offer the Blaugrana the balance of being able to break up the opposition plays before a quick transition to the attack.
