Ivan Rakitic has earned place in Barcelona starting XI, says coach Ernesto Valverde

Back: Ivan Rakitic has forced his way back into the Barcelona starting XI.
Ben Hayward13 December 2019

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde says Ivan Rakitic has earned his place back in the starting XI.

The midfielder was frozen out earlier in the season, appearing as a starter in just one of Barca's first 17 fixtures - the 2-0 defeat away to Granada in September.

But he was restored to the line-up for the Champions League game at home to Borussia Dortmund late last month and has stayed there ever since, starting against Atletico Madrid, Mallorca and Inter Milan, even captaining the team in that last match on Wednesday.

Asked on Friday whether he would stay at Barca beyond the January transfer window, with the club having previously been keen to sell the Croatian, Valverde said: "I see him the same as all the others.

"We are playing for lots of things and I know that when we are in the summer window, I know what will happen, and then everyone asks you about the winter market.

Rakitic featured in Barcelona's Champions League win over Inter Milan  Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

"Ivan has started to play and to participate with assiduousness and has done that because he is earning it."​

With Arthur struggling for fitness after picking up a knock in the international break, Rakitic looks set to start again on Saturday away to Real Sociedad.

"He arrived from Brazil with some niggles," Valverde said of Arthur. "The same as last year, and after the game against Atletico we had to stop him because he had some problems with his pubis.

"We are going to see if we can recover him, but I doubt he will be with us tomorrow."

In Pictures | Inter Milan vs Barcelona | 10/12/2019

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And asked about reports that Barca have closed the door on a possible transfer for Arturo Vidal to Inter in January, Valverde said: "That information comes from Inter. They will know.

"The market hasn't opened. Arturo is our player and we will count on him if we consider it to be convenient."

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