---
title: "Barcelona: Fans react as Samuel Umtiti returns to training"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/barcelona-fans-react-as-samuel-umtiti-returns-to-training/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Callum Pragnell"
section: "La Liga News"
published: "2019-10-16T04:20:05Z"
modified: "2019-10-16T04:20:05Z"
---

# Barcelona: Fans react as Samuel Umtiti returns to training

**Samuel Umtiti hasn’t played for Barcelona this season, after struggling with injuries and falling out of favour under manager Ernesto Valverde.**

\[freshpress-poll id=”251284″\]

The Frenchman was an [unused substitute](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/samuel-umtiti/leistungsdaten/spieler/126540) in the Catalans’ opening three league matches and then injured his foot whilst on international duty and has not trained with the team since.

However, reports in [Spain](https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/samuel-umtiti-returns-to-group-training-with-barcelona-7681888) claim that the 25-year-old has now returned to first-team training and could well feature for the Blaugrana this weekend against Eibar.

Gerard Pique is ruled out due to [suspension](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/10080284/barcelona-gerard-pique-real-madrid-booking-suspension-el-clasico/), leaving a battle between the returning Umtiti and Jean-Clair Todibo for the remaining central defensive berth next to Clement Lenglet.

Todibo started for Barca in their recent [4-0 win over Sevilla](https://www.google.com/search?q=barca+fc&oq=barca+fc&aqs=chrome..69i57j35i39j69i60l4.1127j1j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11fm6pjf8t;2;/m/09gqx;ln;fp;1;;) prior to the international break, so he could well be rewarded with another start this weekend, especially considering the lack of playing-time Umtiti has had of late.

Here’s what Barcelona fans had to say about the France international returning to training on Twitter…

> Who?
>
> — Kev (@fakeKevinDJ) [October 14, 2019](https://twitter.com/fakeKevinDJ/status/1183804142374002688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Is he even a football players?
>
> — BartoMasterclass (@PickleR96088916) [October 14, 2019](https://twitter.com/PickleR96088916/status/1183809259169079299?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Finally 😅
>
> — Barca\_supporter (@Simon\_cule) [October 14, 2019](https://twitter.com/Simon_cule/status/1183842574232145920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> He’s not a footballer anymore, he’s a IG model
>
> — Dave (@Arthur8ftw) [October 14, 2019](https://twitter.com/Arthur8ftw/status/1183805246365147136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> I honestly hope he fights for his position he hasn’t been good
>
> — mohst (@msry2004) [October 14, 2019](https://twitter.com/msry2004/status/1183811636425121797?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Big Sam is back!!!!!!!
>
> — Ogunjuyigbe Ayomikun (@OgunjuyigbeH) [October 14, 2019](https://twitter.com/OgunjuyigbeH/status/1183808787993518082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

***Barcelona fans, what do you make of this news? Let us know by commenting below!***