Samuel Umtiti’s saga at FC Barcelona is one that has indefinitely seen its ups and downs. The Frenchman arrived at the Catalan club during the 2016/2017 season, and to this day has 2 La Liga titles with the Blaugrana outfit. Yet, as days have grown older, his tale has rotted sourer.
From issues such as professionality to even tension from amongst the fanbase due to media reports of the ex-Lyon man being unwilling to take a pay cut at a time the financial situation at FC Barcelona was at its most dire, Umtiti faced the blunt of a lot of hurdles and obstacles.
His accumulation of poor performances for the Catalans whenever he did play did him no favors either with the Blaugrana faithful. Thus, as undeniably difficult as it was, the previous FIFA World Cup winner was loaned off to Serie A club Lecce, where he has found a new life of sorts.
Since the beginning of 2023, the French defender has started 10 of the last 12 games for Marco Baroni’s side and has been one of their cornerstones this season. Regardless of their current standing at 14th in Serie A, the side has been able to conjure up some memorable performances with Umtiti in the squad, one such being a 2-2 draw against AC Milan.
Courtesy of this renewed vitality, FC Barcelona themselves now remain vigilant over the progress of their defender on loan to see just what kind of a positive decision they can take once the duration of the said loan reaches its conclusion.
