Monchi and Setién hold the key to Rakitic’s return to Sevilla

A great friend of Ivan Rakitic and capable of almost everything, Monchi has one of the keys to the possible return of the Croatian midfielder to Sevilla. A return, six years after his departure to Barcelona, ​​which continues to have many edges and should be simmered by next summer, a season altered in its normality by the coronavirus, which will force the season to lengthen. Rakitic has juicy cheap offers from other leagues, especially the Italian one, but In Seville he has many other things that attract him: mainly, the quality of life of a city that feels like his and the feeling of being a leader again and valued by a hobby and a sports director who love him like nowhere.

Barcelona, ​​where he has a contract until June 2021, will ask for money for Rakitic. But the Croatian has already turned 32s and charges an important token. In part, that means having the pan by the handle. His role in the Catalan team has lost a lot of weight this season, in which he has just reached 1,400 minutes of play between all competitions. Of the 31 official matches in which he has participated between the League, the Cup, the Champions and the Spanish Super Cup, only in 15 has he been a starter. Substitute and usual substitute, in just four he completed 90 minutes.

It is true that Quique Setién has increased his role with respect to Valverde. With the Cantabrian coach he has started seven times during these two months since the change occurred in the culé bench. Almost the same (8) that the previous coach had put in the starting lineup from September to January. Setién aims to give Ivan back some of the missing stripes and could draw on his experience and ability to face the last and very possibly frenetic weeks of the season once the competition resumes.

Among so much temptation, economic and sports, Rakitic continues to have immense affection for the team that allowed him to sign for Barcelona and the city where his wife, Raquel, was born. Only a few days ago, the Croatian sent a message of calm and encouragement to Sevilla fans through the official media of the Nervión club, in addition to recommending a book to spend these hours of confinement: 'The Law of Attraction'. Like the one that Sevilla and Rakitic have.