Getty
Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal has told the Catalan giants major change is needed at the Camp Nou if the team is to improve and has also responded to rumors that Serie A champions Juventus are interested in signing him this summer.
The 33-year-old spoke to YouTuber Daniel Habif about the future and admitted he would be happy to speak to new Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo.
“It’s spectacular that he has become the coach of Juventus. If he was incredible as a player, imagine him as a coach. He has a real vision of the sport that very few have ever had in football, so I think he can do really well.
“Pirlo is also a wonderful person too, so I can only imagine he’ll be a great coach. We spent four years together and won the Scudetto four times, so if he were to call me, I’d be happy.”
Vidal is wanted by both Juventus and Inter but would prefer to head to Turin, according to Chilean newspaper La Cuarta. The midfielder has already been told by new Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman he’s no longer needed at the Camp Nou.
Follow the Heavy on Barcelona Facebook page for the latest breaking news, rumors and content!
Vidal Tells Barcelona to Improve
Vidal also warned Barcelona they must improve after a difficult season saw the club finish without a trophy and hammered 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
“Barcelona have to change their way of thinking. Football has evolved a lot, the DNA is being left behind, other teams are improving in other ways. Football is now more physical, it’s about more strength and speed, and technique sometimes becomes less important.
“Barcelona have to change a lot of things. A team that I think is the best in the world can’t have 13 professional players and the rest be youngsters. Every team has 23 players to fight for a place, to grow and get better every day. When they don’t advance, when you think that with your DNA you can always win, you’re very mistaken.”
Barcelona have already made changes by bringing in new manager Ronald Koeman to replace Quique Setien but have been plunged into a fresh crisis ahead of the new campaign with captain Lionel Messi wanting to quit the club.
Vidal Talks Antonio Conte and Barcelona
Koeman is also expected to refresh the starting XI meaning players such as Vidal could heading for the Camp Nou exit. The midfielder is into the final year of his contract at Barca so the club will be tempted to sell to avoid losing him for free next summer.
Vidal does not seem too worried about his future and also took time out to praise former coach Antonio Conte who is currently Inter boss.
“Conte is like a machine, he is tactically the best. As for my future, I’m relaxed, we’ll see what happens. I am very fond of Barcelona, but we’ll see.”
The 33-year-old was back at Barcelona for PCR testing on Sunday ahead of the start of pre-season. La Liga is due to kick-off on September 12, although Barcelona will be given extra-time off due to their Champions League exploits in August.
READ NEXT: Barcelona Fan Left Distraught After Messi No-Show [LOOK]