Why outcast Douglas has been given extra holiday like Lionel Messi

A total of 10 players will return on Tuesday to start pre-season training. Among those absent is Douglas Pereira, who in theory should return with the first group as he had no international commitments.

He has been told to come back on August 8, along with players who disputed the Euro 2016 final and semi-final, plus loanees Cristian Tello and Martin Montoya, for whom the club are looking for an exit. Alen Halilovic, who was also loaned out, has been told to come back in on Tuesday.

Douglas, like Messi, will have a long rest. However, it will be for very different reasons. Sporting director Robert Fernandez said during the presentation of Samuel Umtiti that the club have had problems finding somewhere for him to go. 

He has not entered into Luis Enrique's plans. This is why Lucho is not counting on him as the team goes back to work and he will not be needed at St George's Park either. Douglas will in fact be among the latest to arrive. Only Neymar and Rafinha, who are featuring for Brazil at the Olympic Games, will be called up later. 

Even worse is Alex Song's situation. Despite being a Barcelona player he has not been called in for training at all. 

These are the dates players are due to return: 

July 19

Luis Suárez

Munir

S. Roberto

Adriano

Aleix Vidal

Mathieu

Masip

Denis Suárez

Halilovic

Samper

July 25

Arda Turan

August 1 

Piqué

I. Rakitic

Sergio Busquets

Iniesta

Messi

Bravo

Mascherano

Jordi Alba

Vermaelen

August 8

Ter Stegen

Douglas

Umtiti Digne

Tello

Montoya

August 22

Rafinha

Neymar