Hector Bellerin seems to be coming around to the idea of moving back to Barcelona having previously been very dismissive of the idea or at least that’s what some papers want you to believe.
READ MORE: Bellerin on owing Wenger, Arsenal love, rejecting Barcelona, Manchester City links + more
Speaking to Sport on Tuesday, Bellerin said, “It’s nice there are a lot of big clubs that are interested in me, but if one of those is Barcelona that’s special.
“I don’t forget I grew up in that home and I will never forget my stay at Barcelona.”
Now compare this with other responses he’s given when the subject of Barcelona has been brought up:
“I am very happy with the decision I made. It was hard, but I always say the train comes just once and you either take it or you don’t.
“I took it and I am very happy with the opportunity Arsenal have given me and very happy to be in the position I am in today.
“I’ve always said the reason I came to Arsenal is because I want to stay here and I am not thinking about going anywhere else.”
Of course, he did just sign a six-year deal and no doubt did so thinking he would at least spend *some* of that time with Arsenal. Plus, there’s a key word being left out of these reports as they make their way to the UK press – however.
Bellerin doesn’t say it, but the journalist felt it enough to use it as Bellerin reminded the reporter why he had left Barcelona in the first place. However, Bellerin added, “I left Barcelona because I felt the club was not confident in me, I didn’t feel valued, I was disenchanted.”
That, to me, weakens the first statement quite a bit, particularly when you read it in place in the original article before it gets lost in translation. When you read the lengthy interview he gave with Mundo Deportivo, you really appreciate how little there is to worry about.
Bellerin is 22, already one of the best players in his position in Europe and playing in an Arsenal side that don’t look like they could win a raffle never mind major honours. Leaving aside Bellerin’s form, which has been a large part of that since he penned his new six-year deal, why wouldn’t he be looking at the Catalan side and thinking he’d be stupid to say no?
Barca are looking a long-term replacement for that position, they offer guaranteed trophies, sunshine, and a return to his family.
The question really isn’t why would he leave but, rather, why would he stay?
He already told you – because he didn’t feel valued. He is certainly that at Arsenal as the six-year deal shows and he knows it, as his comments about Wenger in this interview show.