Luis Enrique discusses various players in press conference

In the first chat with the media this season, the manager revealed the positions of a handful of squad members

New season, new goals. In the first press conference of the season at Ciutat Esportiva, Luis Enrique spoke about the situations of the following players:

Leo Messi

“He will return as he always does, with enthusiasm to play football. He has had longer vacations than normal and his natural habitat is the field of play. This shirt makes us all recharge the motivation to win and I don’t imagine anything different. It is clear that he could have won the Copa America that he deserved, but football is like that sometimes, and another team may win. I see Leo Messi in the same for as other seasons.”

Denis Suárez

“The signing of Denis means that he has improved. He can play in-field or on the wing and this delights managers.”

Javier Mascherano

“I hope that the club and Mascherano conclude an extension. I hope, and I believe there is, a negotiation. He is a vital player in Barça’s system.”

Bravo, Ter Stegen and Masip

“The three keepers are under contract and I am delighted with them. The objective is to have the best players and the goalkeeping position is  very well covered. If a player leaves after having met the reléase clause is another thing, but we have the position covered. I will manage the goalkeeping position as always, searching for the best performance.”

Ivan Rakitic

“At the European Championships with Croatia, he played as a no.10. I like seeing him in different positions. Ivan can do it perfectly because he did it with Sevilla too.”

Arda Turan

“I am very happy with his output. He is special both on and off the field. There has to be a bit of calm, everybody needs time to adapt. He will raise the level of the team, it is only a matter of time.”

Neymar Jr and Rafinha  

“The Olympic Games are different. The players who will participate have had plenty of vacation. They will do pre-season in Brazil, they wil not have further holidays and will return (to the squad). We have a sufficient squad to get over the situation at the start of the season.”

Sergi Samper

“Samper is in the first team, and we will now see his output but we will see what is best. He already helped is in the last two seasons. He is a holding midfielder who can provide minutes of quality, he is Barça through and through. He may stay, or he may go to another La Liga side to gain minutes. We will resolve the issue before the season starts.”

Dani Alves

“Dani Alves’ departure surprised me. He is a model profession, a positive guy, joyful... but 100 per cent professional. We will miss him, he gave everything to the lub and I wish him the best at Juventus. We thought about getting a right-back, which is why we got Aleix Vidal. Sergi Roberto can also play there. The position is more than covered.”

Tello and Montoya

“I am not counting on them, but they have decided to return. They have a contract with the Club, but I will not have any problem with their behavior. The sooner they find a club, the better. In their case it is very special, we want a quick solution.”