He risked his knee to win the World Cup and he did it. That's where the movie would end, but life goes on for Samuel Umtiti. The Frenchman has a chronic degenerative cartilage injury in his left knee that keeps him out of a normal work routine for a footballer of his level. From ownership to ownership it has gone from recovery to recovery.
Umtiti shone in Barcelona not so long ago forming a couple with Piqué but, now, injuries and Koeman's lack of confidence in the Frenchman keep him off the pitch. At the beginning of December he returned to a list and against Granada, where he entered as a last resort, he fully complied. This left without warming up due to Araújo's injury and added his first start in six months. The Frenchman left the exam with a good grade.
A note that Barcelona hopes will make them gain market share, because the Yaoundé center-back is for sale. After a difficult recovery and an even more attitude in the final stretch of last season, the 27-year-old defender is on the market but there are no excess offers. In summer there was interest from Olympique de Lyon, his old club, which did not catch on. In early January, Dante's injury attracted Nice's interest, but the move has also not materialized. Milan would be the last to join this list according to La Gazzetta dello Sport but the French is not the only option and Tomori, Chelsea center-back, is close to being confirmed as Maldini himself affirmed, thus closing the doors of San Siro to the central culé.
How much could I box?
Samuel Umtiti cost Barcelona 25 million euros, but that figure will be difficult to match on his departure. The center-back, which was worth 70 million euros, is now valued at a margin between 10 million euros (according to Transfermarkt) and 12, which is what France Football gives in its latest estimate.