Valverde speaks about the enigma that is Barça midfielder Arda Turan
Turan has not played a minute in official competition this season
He has been plagued by a series of minor injuries
Arda Turan is the only player in Barcelona's squad that has not played a single minute in an official match this season.
He has only been present in one squad and has been absent from training regularly with different injuries. It's a strange situation and one which Ernesto Valverde referred to in a press conference on Tuesday.
Valverde's always been respectful towards Turan and has never publically questioned his professionalism.
"I am the coach and I trust the players and the medical team we have here," the Barça coach said on Tuesday.
"If there's a problem, we look at it. If [Arda] has an ankle problem, he has an ankle problem. I don't question a player's injury. And from there, with the players I have available, I pick my team."
Meanwhile, there was praise for Thomas Vermaelen, who made his first La Liga appearance of the season in the Valencia draw.
"I think he played really well against Valencia," Valverde said. "He had a difficult job, coming into the team in such an important game, making his first appearance in the league [this season], but he responded like the player he is.
"He did well in the challenge, marking... was good bringing the ball out. It was a complete performance."
Topics with the letter
