Playing for 90
Fansided

Arturo Vidal’s Barcelona future depends on the status of the manager

By Ernesto Hernandez

Barcelona's Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal warms up ahead of the Spanish Super Cup semi final between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid on January 9, 2020, at the King Abdullah Sport City in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah. - The winner will face Real Madrid in the final on January 12. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Barcelona's Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal warms up ahead of the Spanish Super Cup semi final between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid on January 9, 2020, at the King Abdullah Sport City in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah. - The winner will face Real Madrid in the final on January 12. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Arturo Vidal will wait to see what happens with Ernesto Valverde before making the final decision on his Barcelona future.

It has been a hectic couple of days for Barcelona following the Spanish Super Cup loss against Atletico Madrid.

One of the talking points coming out of the defeat was the continuity of manager Ernesto Valverde with the board seemingly still backing him and players coming out after the game backing him as well.

However, with news that Xavi Hernandez is being considered as a possible replacement for Valverde, it’s thrown yet another twist in saga of one Arturo Vidal.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Chilean midfielder may decide to leave if the manager is sacked as Valverde has previously said he considers an integral part of the team. The next manager may not view Vidal in the same light.

With the departure of Carles Aleña and the inefficiency of Ivan Rakitic, Vidal has been thrust into more of a starting role which is what he has been clamoring for. He started the match against Atletico Madrid and played well.

But he has been contemplating a move away for a while now. He’s been frustrated with a lack of playing time and Inter Milan have long been considered his preferred landing spot. Inter are also aware that Valverde’s situation may complicate a deal.

According to SempreInter, Inter CEO Beppe Marotta said,

"“It depends on many factors. I am not denying that he is an important player for us but the position of the Barcelona coach is at risk. Should something change there I do not know what could happen.”"

At this moment, anything can happen with respect to Valverde. The Catalans tend not to fire managers in the middle of the season and it would be a surprise move if the last straw for the club was a semi-final loss in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

The club had ample opportunities to sack him in the past following the collapses in Rome and Liverpool but stuck with him.

In any case, Vidal may not want to wait too long to decide on what he wants to do. Once Arthur Melo comes back, he’s likely to find himself back on the bench with the Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong and the Brazilian being first choice.

Next. Pep Guardiola plans a massive double raid on Real Madrid. dark

Should he decide to leave, Barcelona will look to be pretty thin in midfield. A surprising development given the log jam in that position at the beginning of the season.

Home/FC Barcelona