Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen to get second Barcelona chance

Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen to get second Barcelona chance

Thomas Vermaelen ganará protagonismo en los próximos días
Thomas Vermaelen ganará protagonismo en los próximos días | EFE

The centre-back could have minutes against Juve and Valencia

Pique's possible ban means he's in line to start at Mestalla

Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen could have a big part to play for Barcelona in the coming days. After being practically unused this season, the injury to Javier Mascherano and, pending an appeal, Gerard Pique's suspension in La Liga mean he could be set to start for Ernesto Valverde's side this week. 

Barça have Juventus on Wednesday, their fifth game in this season's Champions League. In Turin, Valverde could lineup with his first choice partnership in defence, Samuel Umtiti and Pique. However, logic indicates that Vermaelen should be given minutes to find some rhythm. 

So far this season, Vermaelen's played just one official game. The Copa del Rey win at Real Murcia was his only appearance. In fact, he has only been in the squad on four occasions. In the rest of the matches, he's either been injured or simply not called up to the squad by Valverde. 

The solution to recall him to cover the possible absence of Pique carries certain risks. Valverde's not had confidence in him during his first few months in the Camp Nou dugout. And that lack of minutes could have taken its toll on the former Arsenal centre-bak. 

MINUTES WITH BELGIUM 

However, his situation with Barça contrasts with that with Belgium. Not only is he a regular with his national team, but teams like Anderlecht have called the Catalan club to express their interest in signing him. 

Meanwhile, Vermaelen himself has admitted that he asked to play for Barça's B team in order to not lose rhythm. But the rules mean it's not possible for a first team player to drop down. The player is aware that he needs to play as much as possible with the World Cup coming up next summer in Russia. 

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