Antoine Griezmann was 'not the player Barcelona needed' and didn't fit into their system, admits president Joan Laporta after the player was sent back to former club Atletico Madrid on loan. 'We know what kind of player he was and is, he's a great player. The Frenchman was unable to replicate his sizzling form from Madrid after his £108m transfer'In footballing terms he wasn't the player we needed. In a tribute to Barcelona fans after sealing his return back to Atletico, Griezmann promised he had given his all and was proud to wear the Catalan shirt. Barcelona brought in Dutch forward Luuk de Jong as a replacement, with Atletico Madrid then shipping midfielder Saul Niguez off to Chelsea on loan to make room for Griezmann.

Source: Daily Mail September 08, 2021 05:50 UTC