Jordi Alba backs Barça squad and says "people get scared too quickly"

Jordi Alba backs Barça squad and says "people get scared too quickly"

Jordi Alba celebra uno de los  goles de Isco ante Italia
Jordi Alba celebra uno de los  goles de Isco ante Italia | AFP

The left-back has confidence the squad Barça have can do well

He hopes to improve on last season's Copa del Rey success

Jordi Alba has confidence in Barcelona's chances chances of success this season. The lack of signings on deadline day did not worry the left-back, who detects a certain amount of alarmism. Talking to the Catalan media while with Spain, he asked for calm: "People comment, friends say things to you and the reality is that we're a club which everyone talks about, for better or for worse. The criticism should come when the season ends if the results aren't good. People get scared too quickly."  

Alba was with the rest of his Spain team-mates on Friday when Barcelona were trying to make signings. He says the players "were not waiting [to see what happened], even if you do have an eye on if someone's going to arrive. But I gave my opinion after the Super Cup. If players come in to help, then they're welcome. But I am happy with the team we have. It's given us a lot of joy and we have to continue that way. The end result won't depend on if one player or another comes, but best not to talk about it too much."  

OPTIMISTIC

The man from L'Hospitalet backs the current squad and the motivation to win titles again after a disappointing season last time out. "In the end, we only won the Copa del Rey and Barcelona have to improve. The Copa is a trophy, but we want to win everything, and when that doesn't happen, it's a setback. I don't know if [this season] will be better or worse, let's see, but I am optimistic with the team we have."

Alba may be joined on the left by new signing Ousmane Dembele. "He's a young player and we shouldn't compare him with Neymar," the Barça defender said. "They are different. One has nothing to do with the other. He arrives with a lot of excitement and for my game, I feel good having a player that goes inside in front of me. The manager will decide and, apart from Dembele, there are other quality players that can play in the position, too." 

INIESTA

Alba's biggest praise was for Andres Iniesta, who shone in Spain's win over Italy on Saturday. Alba said he was "spectacular. I've always said the same. I am lucky enough to have him on the left with me and personally he's helped me a lot. I enjoy being by his side. People that like football get on well with him and I am lucky to have him as a team-mate for Barça and the national team."