Vermaelen says Barcelona would not let him leave in the summer
The Belgian defender says he's in a difficult situation at Camp Nou
He hopes things change and would even have played for the B team if possible
Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen has said in an interview while with the Belgian national team that the Catalan club did not let him leave in the summer.
Speaking to 'Derniere Heure', Vermaelen said he returned from Roma at the end of last season and there were talks about his future.
"The club told me I couldn't leave, I had to stay despite the future of various clubs (Everton and Anderlecht in particular, according to the report)," he said.
"Now I am not playing, so I am in a difficult situation. I can't play with Barça B, where I could get some form because the Spanish legislation doesn't allow it. It's a regrettable situation."
Vermaelen is thinking about the World Cup next summer and preparing for the game with Bosnia.
"Of course I would like to play more [club] football to be in a good rhythm with the national team," he added.
With Vincent Kompany missing, he's set to start for the Red Devils: "Vincent's not here and so I have a bigger chance of playing. It would be a positive, of course, if I could return to Barcelona having played some minutes, that way they'll see that I'm ready if they need me."
FUTURE
Vermaelen admits there are doubts about his performances: "I understand the doubts because I'm not playing much for my club, but I don't feel I need to prove anything. I am happy to be here [with Belgium]. And what can happen in January is the future, things can change quickly, we will see."
On his personal situation with Barça, he added: "I've spoken with the manager [Ernesto Valverde], of course, and they're happy with how I am training. It's clear that in a club like Barcelona, three centre-backs is not enough, you need four or five. An injury or a suspension and I will be back in the squad. Things can quickly. For now, it's not great, but next week could be different."
And, finally, he insisted: "The World Cup and a possible move in January are problems for later. We will see. I have nothing to say. There's a clause in my contract for a transfer, even for a Premier League club."
