Barcelona Outcast Umtiti Has No Intention Of Leaving
Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has no intention of leaving the club despite his lack of playing time this season.
Umtiti has been tipped to leave the Camp Nou in recent transfer windows but he is still a part of the furniture at Barcelona.
The Frenchman has suffered fitness problems over the last three seasons and has begun bearing the brunt of the Barcelona supporters.
Umtiti was jeered by the Barcelona fans in a recent pre-season game against Juventus at the Camp Nou and he is yet to play for the first team this season.
Umtiti admits he has been hurt by the treatment from his own fans but wants to remain and fight for his place.
"Yes [the whistles hurt], a lot, honestly," he said in an exclusive interview with Mundo Deportivo.
"I never thought this could happen to me in this club because I love it, I love this club.
"I do everything, everything, to be okay. I have had hard times due to injuries but in the end I do my job and this is the most important thing for me. Work and train hard, and people don't know it.
"[I would tell those who whistle] that I'm fine. That the most important thing is the club, helping the players, you have to help everyone. Whistling is useless. I will give everything for the club, as I have tried to do from day one."
"I don't see myself playing at another club, no, impossible. Right now I have it very clear [in my mind]," he added.
"I want to show that I have the level to play here. The most important thing is to get back and show everyone that Samu is okay.
"It is clear to me, the most important thing now is to play here because it is my club, I love this club. I want to succeed here, play, win with my team-mates, with the team.
"I see myself here, I'm waiting for that moment to play. I have to continue training, working and showing that I have a place."
Umtiti joined Barcelona from Olympique Lyon in 2016 and has won two La Liga titles and three Copa del Reys at the club.
