by Nia Griffiths

After Barcelona won the treble last season, including the Champion’s League, many believed it was a little unfair that Thomas Vermaelen, who’d spent the whole season injured, received his winners’ medals.

As it turns out, no one is more aware of this than the man himself, who recently spoke about his excitement at returning to fitness and how he doesn’t feel part of those trophy wins himself.

“I got a medal, but you don’t feel like you have won the treble,” he said. “I was very happy for the team, but it’s not like I contributed a lot for the cups we won.”

He continued, “I am very happy and very pleased to be back. There’s nothing better than to feel fit. Last year was terrible. It was a nasty injury, a very difficult one and I am very happy that the feeling in the legs is perfect again, like it should be.

“I feel 100 per cent now. We just started pre-season so I am adapting still but I had 60 minutes against a good opponent so I am very pleased with that.”

The 29-year-old spent five years with us, appearing in 150 games and scoring 15 goals – not bad for a centre-back. However, the Belgian didn’t have the best luck when it came to injuries and his progress stalled. Frustrated with the bench, the defender looked to pastures new and Barcelona were waiting in the wings to snap him up as soon as he became available.

No offence to the bloke, I have no hard feelings towards him, but quite how we managed to get £15m for him is astounding. Saying this, I hope he recovers and wish him well.