New Borussia Dortmund signing Marc Bartra has blamed Barcelona manager Luis Enrique for his exit from the La Liga champions.
The centre-back progressed through the youth ranks at Barcelona and went on to make 59 La Liga appearances for the team. However, he believes that the arrival of Enrique as manager hindered his chances of succeeding at the Nou Camp in the long term.
Bartra found himself well down the pecking order at Barcelona, with Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Jeremy Mathieu and Thomas Vermaelen all ahead of him.
As reported by ESPN, Bartra said: “The coaching staff and the president showed me they wanted me to be at the club but it is one thing to be valued and another thing to feel valued.
“There were moments last season when I felt nothing and when Dortmund’s offer came I was thrilled.”
“When I made my debut under Pep, I felt his confidence,” he said. “Tito decided to put me in the first team. With Tata I played practically 30 games which gave me the chance to play for the national team.
“I was on an upwards ascent until Luis Enrique arrived. I started well with him, but later I stopped counting. It was a tough 18 months for me.”
“Now I’m only thinking about Dortmund and making my debut there,” he said. “I have a four-year contract. The best way to have a good future is to think about the present.
“I’m going to give my all. I’ve been transferred. I’m not in no-man’s land. Borussia didn’t accept a buy-back option.”
Bartra, who had an average pass accuracy of 88% in La Liga last season, will now hope to receive regular game time at Borussia Dortmund.
The defender will surely benefit from the guidance of Thomas Tuchel and will be eager to prove Enrique wrong with his performances in the Bundesliga.
Barcelona have already moved on from Bartra’s departure, with the club confirming the signing of French international centre-back Samuel Umtiti from Lyon.
As far as Bartra is concerned, the defender could act as a replacement for Neven Subotic in the Dortmund squad, with the latter poised to leave the club this summer.
Dortmund have lost several key players in this transfer window, with Mats Hummels, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ilkay Gundogan all leaving the club.
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