Clement Lenglet: Barcelona’s unsung hero proves himself against Manchester United one year after doing the same with Sevilla

Clement Lenglet: Barcelona’s unsung hero proves himself against Manchester United one year after doing the same with Sevilla
With usual starter Samuel Umtiti suffering from a persistent knee problem this year, relying on a Nou Camp newcomer with only a few years top flight experience to play centre-back could have been a problem for Barcelona.Instead, Baras summer signing Clement Lenglet has looked consistently assured at the heart of their defence.Lenglet has managed to pull off an odd feat: playing 38 games for Barcelona this season without really being noticed.6

It’s been a promising debut season for Lenglet at the Nou Camp

But far from a sign of mediocrity, for a central defender at Bara, its a good thing.Asked to be brave under pressure, play in a high line, and spend more time in the opposition half than most centre-backs would dare, central defenders at the Nou Camp are just one mistake away from ridicule during their time on the pitch.It is a vertigo-inducing situation with pressure that experienced, quality players have buckled under.Lenglet, still only 23, looks like he has been doing it for years; like he has long been playing Champions League quarter-finals.6

Lenglet has surpassed all expectations this term

He hasnt.Just three years ago Lenglet was plying his trade in Frances second division with Nancy, stepping out at tiny grounds in Annecy or Dijon rather than the Theatre of Dreams or the Santiago Bernabeu.When the French minnows gained promotion to Ligue 1, Sevillas ever savvy sporting director Monchi needed only half a season to judge that the young centre-back could be good enough to make the leap up to LaLiga straight away.Monchis vision proved to be typically sound. Within 12 months Lenglet was the leader of another defence, this time at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, dealing with the pressure at one of LaLigas most ambitious clubs like it was nothing. Accustomed to trophies and European football, Sevilla fans demand strong performances from their players every weekend, all season long.At 22, the centre-back looked completely unfazed by it all.With that kind of head on his shoulders, no wonder Barcelona moved quickly.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Slavia Prague vs Chelsea (Thursday, 8pm) talkSPORT 2
• Southampton vs Wolves (Saturday, 3pm) talkSPORT 2
• Manchester United vs West Ham (Saturday, 5:30pm) talkSPORT
• Leeds vs Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday, 5:30pm) talkSPORT 2
• Wigan vs Norwich (Sunday, 12pm) talkSPORT 2
• Crystal Palace vs Manchester City (Sunday, 2:05pm) talkSPORT

That said, when the Blaugrana last summer paid 35million to sign a player Sevilla had brought in for 5m only a season-and-a-half prior, reasonable questions were raised.Was that really enough time in LaLiga to accurately judge how a young footballer would adapt to one of the trickiest positions at the Nou Camp? Wouldnt he just be warming the bench anyway with Samuel Umtiti around? If he was that good wouldnt someone bigger than Sevilla have noticed already?6

Barcelona spent 35million to sign Lenglet last summer

Fast forward nine months, and Lenglets purchase has already proven pivotal in helping Bara cope with a persistent knee injury that has kept Umtiti, Gerard Piques main defensive partner from last season, out for much of the campaign.The Catalans have a history of poor transfer decisions when it comes to the middle of the defence, but in Lenglets case they got it spot on.Starting in wins over Tottenham, Inter, Real Madrid, Atltico and now Manchester United to name but a few, the effortlessness with which Lenglet has adapted to the biggest stage is rarely seen from newcomers to the Bara backline.6

Lenglet has been afforded opportunities due to Samuel Umtiti being sidelined through injury

Its likely his no-fuss approach to business that stops Lenglet getting more plaudits.Though he likes to anticipate and step up to win the ball early, he is rarely caught out making rash decisions, and though he isnt the quickest in a sprint, his positioning generally makes up for that, meaning he is barely ever exposed.To complete the Bara-quality package, Lenglet is also tidy with the ball.Against United on Wednesday, with the home side executing a calculated high press for long spells, the Frenchman even coped far better than veterans such as Sergio Busquets. As the last line of defence in a situation in which the slightest error could have been punished, he was impressively controlled.6

Lenget’s latest superb performance came in Barcelona’s defeat of Manchester United

I think he looks great. Lenglet is producing a magnificent season with us, Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde who isnt prone to superlatives assessed last month. Wednesdays clean sheet in Manchester was the latest benchmark in that campaign.Appropriately enough, it was a similarly assured performance at the same ground in the Champions League knockout stages with Sevilla last year that fully convinced Barcelona to get a move on and pay Lenglets buyout clause.6

Barcelona were convinced of Lenglet’s talents when he helped Sevilla beat Manchester United at Old Trafford

Other clubs will wish they had moved as promptly.Just over 12 months later, the Frenchman is edging towards a treble. And he’s doing so discretely, without anyone noticing.

---

Sunderland AFC news and transfers RECAP - Grant Leadbitter deal confirmed; Lewis Morgan latest. Welcome to the live blog bringing you all the news and gossip from Sunderland AFC during the January
executive Archives - SportsAlert
sportsalert.org/tag/executive/
Bordeaux target Josh Maja will not play for the club again, confirms chief executive ON HIS WAY The Ligue 1 side are closing in on a cut-price £3.5m move for the 20-year-old, who has scored 16 goals this season Josh Maja has played his last game for Sunderland, chief executive Stewart Donald has confirmed.
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the deals from the Premier League and

---

FA accepts decision to clear Jose Mourinho of using foul language The Manchester United manager was filmed in animated mood after the Red Devils rallied to beat Newcastle in October.
FA accepts decision to clear Jose Mourinho of using foul

---

football.london took one of our regular visits to the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium and there was plenty to update people on since our last trip a fortnight ago.. With just three Spurs matches left at Wembley, our reporter Alasdair Gold went to Tottenham's new £850m home to check on the progress at the construction site.
Tottenham stadium update: Spurs face - independent.co.uk

---

Burnley 2-1 Tottenham: Spurs' title chances all but over after Ashley Barnes' late winner. Harry Kane had equalised on his return, but Pochettino was furious with referee Mike Dean at the final
Burnley 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs falter on Harry Kane's

---

Leeds United's incredible record after scoring first in the

---

Vincent Kompany is to leave Manchester City after 11 years of service and 10 trophies at the club. The dominant centre-back has again been a rock for Pep Guardiola's side this season and his final
Vincent Kompany - Wikipedia

---

Hibernian fan banned from attending any football ground in

---

What previous managers have said about Manchester United target James Maddison. Man Utd are considering a move to sign Leicester midfielder James Maddison in the 2019 summer transfer window.
Giggs tells James to ´enjoy the challenge´ of playing for

---

Chelsea and Malmo have been charged by UEFA following supporter unrest during their Europa League match in Sweden on Thursday. Chelsea have been charged over pitch invasions by their supporters and Malmo for setting off fireworks. Both clubs have been charged with the throwing of objects by their fans during the last-32 tie, which Chelsea won 2-1.

---

Manchester United moved into the top four of the Premier League table with a 3-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday. Two goals from Paul Pogba and a superb solo effort from Anthony
Fulham 0 Man Utd 3: Paul Pogba tells Red Devils 'big teams

---

Leeds vs Sheffield United live on talkSPORT 2: Full coverage and free stream for Yorkshire clash All you need to know to tune into the Championship tie EXCLUSIVE
Leeds vs Sheffield United live on talkSPORT 2: Full coverage

---

Barcelona target Matthijs de Ligt admits joining Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool "could happen" David Cooper 9/03/2019 De Ligt starred against Barcelona's arch-rivals Madrid in the Champions League.

---

MARCHING ON Kieran Dowell's 14th-minute goal secured the three points for Chris Wilder's men, who responded well to wins for Norwich and Leeds earlier on Saturday Kieran Dowell scored his first goal in Sheffield United colours to help Chris Wilder's men claim a crucial 1-0 win at Championship promotion rivals West Brom.
Umid Kumar Dey, Author at FOX Sports Asia

---

Three things to know about the Patriots owner - Lonzo Ball injury update: Bone bruise could extend delay return further, report says - Eric Reid on Colin Kaepernick: 'He's in the best shape of his life, and ready to help win a championship' - Capitals re-sign defenseman Nick Jensen after trading for him hours earlier - Bears to release K Cody
Newzybox - : Sports

---

Cristiano Ronaldo meets up with world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua The two are enjoying well-earned breaks away in the United Arab Emirates They met up after Ronaldo's night of success at Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has gone toe-to-toe with Cristiano Ronaldo after the two posed for a photo on […]
Anthony Joshua hangs out with Cristiano Ronaldo during winter

---