Barcelona star Dani Alves has, on Friday, provided a pair of interesting takes surrounding recent developments at the Camp Nou.

The first comes in the form of the stopper’s opinion on the club’s decision to omit him from their squad list for the remainder of the European campaign.

As per UEFA’s rules, a maximum of three new players can be registered by any one club mid-season in European competition.

With no fewer than four new signings – in the form of Ferran Torres, Adama Traore, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the aforementioned Alves – having been brought to the Catalan capital this winter, Barca were therefore left with no choice but to leave one of the fresh additions to the club’s ranks off their Europa League squad list.

And, in the end, Alves proved the odd man out.

Speaking to the media on Friday ahead of the Blaugrana’s upcoming showdown with Atletico Madrid, the Brazilian was therefore drawn on his recent omission.

And Alves, to his credit, responded with the utmost class, confirming that though he was disappointed with the call, he has quickly accepted it in a bid to help the club as best he can:

‘As long as he’s at Barca…’

After opening up on his own situation, Alves then turned attentions towards that of Ousmane Dembele.

Wide-man Dembele has of course seen his name take centre stage in the headlines when it comes to ongoings at the Camp Nou of late, after seeing a planned January exit fall through ahead of the imminent expiration of his contract in the summer.

Teammate Alves, though, is of the opinion that those in a position of power in the Catalan capital should nevertheless continue to make use of Dembele’s talents over the weeks and months ahead:

“As long as he’s still at Barça, you have to defend him, take advantage of the fact that he’s still here. You have to be smarter than your ego.”

 

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