Barcelona Ernesto Valverde doesn't count on the Belgian

It has been an understandably difficult start to the season for Thomas Vermaelen after his loan with Roma expired, because Barcelona won't allow him to leave and he has confirmed he is in a position where he cannot even play with the second team.

Ernesto Valverde hasn't used the former Arsenal centre-back even once this term and this doesn't look like changing any time soon.

"The club told me that I couldn't leave," he explained to Belgian publication Derniere Heure.

"I had to stay in spite of the interest of several clubs, now I cannot even play with the second team, it is a difficult situation."

The interview would later suggest that the aforementioned interest did actually come from Anderlecht and Everton.

Despite having not been utilised at all throughout the Blaugrana's excellent start to the campaign, the 31-year-old believes his chance is just around the corner if he plays during the international break.

"It would be positive, of course, if I could return to Barcelona after having played some minutes," Vermaelen said.

"Then they will see that I'm ready if the club needs me."

It has been impressive just how quickly the former Athletic Club coach has got a handle on his squad and they appear to be playing for him early on.

Vermaelen intimated that he has discussed his predicament with Valverde, indicating he is willing to wait for his opportunity.

"I have talked to the coach, obviously, and he is happy with how I'm training," he noted.

"It is clear that in a club like Barcelona, three central defenders are not enough, they need four or five.

"A suspension or an injury will mean that I can return to the squad and these things can happen quickly.

"Whilst things aren't going well at the moment, next week may be different."