Transfer Centre

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde: 'I'm counting on Denis Suarez'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 17 November 2017

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde says that he is "counting on" Denis Suarez to make an impact when given a chance, as he challenges the attacker to prove his worth.

Ernesto Valverde has suggested that Denis Suarez still has an important role to play for Barcelona this term after the Spanish attacker accused the club of trying to sell him.

Suarez, who has started just two La Liga games so far in 2017-18, believes that he may be forced out of Camp Nou when the transfer window reopens.

Barca boss Valverde says that the 23-year-old remains a part of his plans for now, but would not confirm whether he intends to find a buyer in the New Year following rumoured interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Napoli.

"He is one more player in the squad. It's true he's played in some games and not others but I'm counting on him for the matches," he told reporters. "It then depends on his form and the circumstances.

"He's fine. I can't comment on one newspaper story or another. The club is open to all kinds of possibilities. Not only Barca - any club. We value what we have but we are not going to close doors."

Manchester City academy product Suarez managed three goals in 32 appearances for Barcelona last term.