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Barcelona: Can Umtiti ever displace Lenglet from the first-team?

By Chiranjib Ghosh

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Samuel Umtiti of FC Barcelona reacts during the La Liga match between Real Sociedad de Futbol and FC Barcelona at Estadio Anoeta on September 15, 2018 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Samuel Umtiti of FC Barcelona reacts during the La Liga match between Real Sociedad de Futbol and FC Barcelona at Estadio Anoeta on September 15, 2018 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /
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Samuel Umtiti’s consistent displays for Barcelona seem like ancient history

After Samuel Umtiti arrived at the Camp Nou in a €25 million deal from Lyon, it was certainly bewildering. Javier Mascherano was ageing, and Barcelona were expected to bring in a high-profile youngster like Kostas Manolas or Marquinhos.

But Umtiti was an absolute revelation. He knocked Mascherano out of the first-team almost immediately by forming a formidable partnership with Gerard Piqué and Marc-André ter Stegen. It eventually led to the departure of El Jefecito the following season.

In a single season, the Frenchman established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the world, attracting interest from Manchester United. Umtiti continued his exponential growth even after the departure of Luis Enrique, under Ernesto Valverde.

But at the beginning of the current season, the 25-year old French centre-back suffered a severe knee injury, after having appeared in just 7 matches in all competitions. That could turn out to be the catalyst for a downward spiral in his previously flourishing career at Barça.

Éric Abidal’s decision to bring in Clément Lenglet from Sevilla last summer has worked wonders. In Umtiti’s absence, the Frenchman’s compatriot has developed immensely and has established himself as a permanent member of the first-team.

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Only recently has Samuel Umtiti made his comeback from injury. He made his comeback in the 4-2 victory against Lenglet’s former club, but has not featured since. But the fate of the World Cup winner could be sealed after Lenglet’s performance in the 1-0 win in the Clásico.

Up against an onslaught from the Real Madrid attack, the 22-year old central defender managed to quell the threat of Gareth Bale so effectively that Santiago Solari had to take off the Welshman. His partnership with Piqué reached new heights, and it was probably the best game of his career.

Samuel Umtiti has already shown that he is injury-prone, having suffered two major injuries already in his spell at Barça. Even if he manages to reach his old level, he will find it extremely hard to displace Lenglet from the first-team.

Arguably, Lenglet is a better player right now than Umtiti ever could be. The youngster showed impressive determination and grit against a Real Madrid side who registered a mammoth 17 shots. It is clear that he will remain first-choice for the rest of the season.

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With the new season will come an important opportunity for Umtiti. But if he fails to outperform Lenglet, it is unlikely that Ernesto Valverde will ever grant him a place in the first-team again. Umtiti’s knee injury could have sounded the death knell for his Barça career.