Barcelona defender set to miss team presentation before Joan Gamper trophy clash | OneFootball

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Barca Universal

·7 August 2022

Barcelona defender set to miss team presentation before Joan Gamper trophy clash

Article image:Barcelona defender set to miss team presentation before Joan Gamper trophy clash

Barcelona are set to lock horns with Pumas this evening, in the Joan Gamper trophy at Camp Nou. But before the game, there will be an official team presentation for the upcoming 2022/23 campaign.

Not all the players will be a part of the presentation, though, with a report from Mundo Deportivo suggesting Samuel Umtiti is likely to miss out.


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The defender does not want to be a part of the team presentation and will not travel to the stadium. He does not want to participate in the event or the match as he is aware of his dwindling prospect in the team.

Earlier this summer, Umtiti was informed of his lack of role in Xavi’s plans heading into the new season. Following the summer capture of Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde, the Frenchman has fallen down the pecking order, with no real chance of making a breakthrough.

Formerly of Lyon, Umtiti has been a part of the Barcelona side since 2016. But in recent years, his progress has stalled due to a series of injuries.

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His questionable fitness record had even played a key role in jeopardising his move to Stade Rennais earlier in the summer. While the Ligue 1 outfit were keen on attaining his services, they backed out at the last moment due to his injury record.

Nevertheless, Umtiti remains keen on finding a new club before the transfer market slams shut. The defender may find difficulties finding a suitor due to the number of injuries he has suffered in the recent past, but he still has the pedigree at the highest level of football and could be a handy signing for any top European club.

Umtiti’s absence at the team presentation has been green-lighted by manager Xavi, while the defender’s agent, Fernando Solanas, is in touch with several clubs to try and engineer a move away from the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner.

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