Samuel Umtiti turns 27 – listing 4 reasons why Koeman should rely on Big Sam despite woeful injury record

The Frenchman admits that the recent years have been the worst period of his career, yet he’s still training ‘twice as hard’ to be back at his best.

Let’s hope we’ll see Big Sam fit and happy again.

Reason 2: Loyalty

Over the past two years, Umtiti-to-Arsenal rumours have been flooding in non-stop, yet the World Cup winner has always said that he’d only swap his time at Barca for a comeback to Lyon – but he still wants to fight for his place at Camp Nou.

“I don’t see myself in a club other than Barcelona. I have been clear with everyone on this issue,” Samuel Umtiti has recently told Canal+.

“Lyon is my club, my city. It is the team that has given me the opportunity to play in Europe, at Barcelona and with the national team. Yes, there were discussions in the summer but there was nothing serious.”

Reason 3: He still knows how to play quality football

In February, a few weeks before the coronavirus lockdown, Umtiti finally got his place as a starter and didn’t disappoint. In fact, this was arguably his best time at Barca in a few years: the Frenchman was impressive at the back in the Champions League while Quique Setien called him an extraordinary player.

Reason 4: We don’t have many fit centre-backs

Once Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet or Ronald Araujo is out, Umtiti becomes the first-choice defender to come off the bench. As things stand, he’s actually the third-choice centre-back since Araujo is still on the sidelines.

Give us fit Sam – and we’ll have 4 centre-backs fighting for the spot in the starting XI in each game.