Ernesto Valverde has had a contrasting start this season and the last term at Barcelona.
In his debut campaign at the Camp Nou, the 54-year-old guided the Catalan club to seven wins in his first seven league games, while they’ve managed only four wins in the same number of matches so far in the 2018/19 season.
The Blaugrana have failed to win in their last three games as they settled for a point against Girona and Athletic Club Bilbao at home, while suffered a defeat at the hands of Leganes.
Journalist Eduardo Inda appeared on El Chiringuito to discuss the relationship between Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique and he claims there is a ‘total divorce’ between the two.
The same report has been relayed, although not backed up, by AS and it’s claimed the former Manchester United man is unhappy with the Argentine international’s lack of appearances in front of the media, especially when things are not going well at the club.
Messi, on the other hand, points at the centre-back’s error for the recent goals conceded by the La Liga winners and claims poor defensive displays have cost their side points.
Pique and Messi have so far shared a good relationship in the past and this ‘total divorce’ claim isn’t really gathering speed.
If there are any indication of unhappiness between the pair, Valverde is likely to be asked about this in his pre-match press conference before the Tottenham game.
Meanwhile, it may provide an opportunity for the aforementioned players to put the report to bed by performing well and helping Barcelona beat the north London club in the Champions League on Wednesday.
El Chiringuito aren’t exactly a bastion of good faith reporting, so unless this is further backed up there’s not a great need for worry.
