The Spanish defender has had a revival of sorts, coming back into the first team picture after a much publicized falling out with Barcelona manager Luis Enrique.
Aleix Vidal hasn’t had a great time at the Camp Nou since joining from Sevilla in 2015. He has had limited opportunities in the first team set-up and has often expressed his frustration at the manager and club for not giving him the chance to play.
The 27-year-old was widely linked with a move away from Barca, but things have changed over the past couple of weeks. Vidal played the full game against Hercules in the Copa del Rey last week, and was handed a chance to shine in Barca’s final Champions League group stage game against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Vidal was deemed ‘spectacular’ by his manager after the game against Gladbach, and is now singing a different tune about his relation with Enrique and desire to leave Barcelona.
“With the coach I have not had any problems,” said Vidal, according to FourFourTwo.
“The best thing is how I handled the situation.
“The boss is the boss. He always plays those who deserve it. If he did not play me maybe it’s because I was missing something.
“Hopefully the situation is changing, it would be silly to say I want to leave here.
“For my part, there is no intention to leave. I have a contract, I’m at the best club in the world.”
Vidal was supposed to be Barcelona’s replacement for Brazilian Dani Alves. The iconic right-back left for Juventus this past summer, even as fans mourned his departure. The Catalans are visibly struggling without his pace, power and creativity on the right wing.
Academy product Sergi Roberto has been playing at right-back for Barcelona for most of the season. Although he has managed to put in some good performances, the 24-year-old is more comfortable in a midfield position than in defence and it shows on the pitch.
With the ties seemingly mended between Enrique and Vidal, Barcelona could finally have a quality replacement for Alves on their hands.
