Player thrilled with career twist – Was “hard to imagine” when he was at Southampton

Oriol Romeu moved on from his Barcelona youth career in 2011 when he signed for Chelsea, staying with the Blues until 2015.

From Ulldecona in Catalonia, the dream of returning to his area at some point in his career will always have been there. But at one point it looked more likely that would be with Espanyol, where he also spent time in the youth system, rather than Barcelona.

Signing for Southampton in 2015, Romeu went on to have an impressive career with the Saints, an important player for them for multiple seasons.

In September of last year, Romeu left Southampton for Girona, and little would he know that a year later he’d be back with the Blaugrana.

The midfielder has been speaking in a press conference ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League match against Royal Antwerp this week, and there was a mention of his time with the Saints and how what has happened since has been something of a surprise for him.

Mundo Deportivo quote Romeu as saying: “Many years have passed, it has rained a lot, when you go to Southampton to think that you will be in the Barça squad and play with a leading role is difficult to imagine, but football takes many turns and the situation is what it is and I am happy, and happy and eager to play a good role. It is the most beautiful competition there can be for the player.”

On the role he’s found himself in at Barcelona, the midfielder said: “I carry it out in the most natural way possible, doing the things I have to do and knowing my job. And adapting in the best way possible. I’m feeling good but I’m sure there are things I can still improve. Both at the individual level and collectively, this is the line to follow. The season is very long.”