Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti has been sidelined for months now. The French International who suffered a knee injury earlier this season had been sent to Qatar for further treatment.
The Spanish statement published a statement from the medical team which read that the 25-year-old is returning to Nou Camp to continue the healing process to be able to recover as soon as possible.
But, the club are worried about the status of his knee as it did not get any sort of alleviating after months of rehabilitation back in the Asian continent.
OFFICIAL: Samuel Umtiti has returned from Qatar,and has been checked by Barça’s medical team. On the 30th of this month, he will continue to undergo the conservative treatment in Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/NvCKjCpDIR
— La Senyera (@LaSenyera) December 23, 2018
He is required to take surgery following his relentless complaints since May about the repeated knee problem.
Barcelona doctors think that the French International should have operated his knee during the epilogue of last season. Had he taken it back then or even after the World Cup, he would have been back to full fitness by this time.
Knee cartilage problem is not common among the young players. Carlos Puyol was forced to end his footballing career after suffering the same kind of injury at Barcelona.
🎁 2⃣3⃣ 🎁
ℹ️ Samuel Umtiti was wearing number 23 when he scored this GOLAZO for Lyon! 🦁#UELadvent 🎄 @OL @samumtiti pic.twitter.com/nYvoTuz9FZ
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) December 23, 2018
Samuel Umititi is one of the best players in this Barcelona roster over last few seasons. Besides, the French International has been the best center-back at Nou Camp, with Gerard Pique struggling to find his feet.
Losing a player of Umtiti’s calibre would be a huge blow for any side in the world. The former Lyon defender has been part of the trophy galore with the Spanish outfit in recent seasons and lifted the World Cup with France recently.
😬 Samuel Umtiti is said to be suffering from the same knee injury that caused Carles Puyol to retire…
We want him back and fit for the Champions League!#FCB pic.twitter.com/oyIkApxsGx
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) December 24, 2018
Ernesto Valverde still has time to think about a solution. The reigning La Liga Champions were able to lure Valencia center-half Jeison Murillo to Catalonia in a loan deal with a view to make it permanent, depending upon his performance in this short span of time.
Since the club will not be in action until January 6, Ernesto Valverde will have time to make a decision. There are rumours going on that the Spanish manager is looking to bolster his backline by adding another defender to the roster.
Currently, Barcelona have four centre-backs at disposal – Gerard Pique, Thomas Vermaelen, Clement Lenglet, and Jeison Murillo. But, the Barcelona manager is not keen to let the three-point lead slip away in the upcoming weeks.
The injury list just keeps on creeping after Rafinha ruptured his ligament which would keep him out for rest of the season.
Sergi Samper, Malcom, and Thomas Vermaelen are currently facing some time on the sidelines. But, they are expected to star for Barcelona soon or rather than later.
Barcelona will face Levante away from home on January 6th as they try to keep the momentum going. They will face Lyon in the Champions League Round of 16.
