Valverde: Rakitic? Barcelona are not a club that sells our best players for business Barcelona He described him as a key player for him

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde reinforced that Ivan Rakitic is a key player for them and they are not the kind of club that would sell him to boost their finances.

The Croatian has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain but the Catalan club have been adamant that they would not let him leave for less than his buy-out clause.

"He is a fundamental player for us and I am counting on him due to what he does for us, the importance he had for the team last season was clear," said Valverde.

"I hope that he stays here. I want to have the best players here and he is one of the best. He knows how we play, he is integrated into the team and the club. We are not here to make money from a player, we aim to win and make the trophy room bigger."

Barcelona now face Valladolid on Saturday and Valverde is expecting a tough rival.

"Last week Valladolid were very solid against Girona, since last season they are very well organised, with the lines keeping close together and they counter quickly," he explained.

"I expect it to be a similar game. This time we are playing away from hime and it will be more difficult as there will be plenty of enthusiasm in the stadium with the club back in the top flight."

He admitted that they are wary about the state of the Zorrilla pitch which has been recently relayed.

"I am more worried about the rival and what they can do but I won't deny that this is something that I have in my head," stated Valverde.

"It is not usual to play a game with a new pitch layed four days before and I don't know who's idea it was. I know from experience that the ball gets stuck and people fall over."

Sergi Roberto is an option at full back against Valladolid.

"It is a possibility bearing in mind of course that he played during the preseason in the United States in midfield," he went on.

"The other day he was in his usual place and this is a possibility that I am considering.

While recent seasons have been measured by the feats of Messi and Ronaldo, with the Portuguese now gone, Valverde is unsure how that will impact on Real Madrid.

"I don't know if it will make them weaker, it is down to them," he said.

"Last year we were in a similar position to them having lost the Super Cup and from then on the team got stronger but I am more worried about my team."

Valverde also reflected on the new players at the club.

"Arthur moves the ball around well, he showed that before he arrived, and he has a good shot from distance," he continued.

"Our positional play when we have the ball is something that we can improve on and we have a lot of players that can help.

"Vidal is a different type of player to the others that we have. He is not one that looks to keep possession but is a physical

player both in defence and attack that gets forward.

"Dembele is playing with us, he started the other day as well as in the Supercopa and we are expecting a lot from him."

The Premier League's transfer window is now already closed and Valverde sees this as a positive step.

"This is something that we will have to do as well, like in Italy, close the market before the league starts as otherwise it is absurd," he said, while also discussing the idea of having a match in the United States.

The players union were unhappy this week and threatened to boicot it

"They have an important role, they have a voice and something to say, all that they wanted is to be taken into consideration."

Finally on his future at Barcelona he claimed that this is not the right time to discuss it.

"It is ridiculous at the stage of the season with everything still to come," he said.

"Tomorrow we have a game and everyone knows what happens here when we don't win."