Barcelona exclusive: Fully-fit Vidal sets his sights on filling the Alves gap

The departure of Dani Alves to Juventus this summer has left a gaping hole in Barcelona’s team, but Aleix Vidal is hopeful that he can fulfil his promise and show Luis Enrique that he should be their first choice right-back this season. “I don't see it as pressure, I see it as more of a challenge,” Vidal told Yahoo Sport.

“There's also Sergi Roberto as well, who was ahead of me last season in the right-back position. Dani Alves is one of the best full-backs in the world and my challenge is to get that number one spot, but I respect the fact that there's Roberto as well to compete with.”

It has been a difficult year for Vidal since he swapped the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan for the Camp Nou, with the former Sevilla defender forced into training only until the January transfer window opened. He also struggled with an adductor muscle problem, while local newspapers SPORT and El Mundo Deportivo both questioned his lack of involvement in the campaign run-in.

“Last season was difficult because I had injuries and I had seven months out because of the ban on transfers,” said Vidal. “The manager didn't want to put me into the team before I was 100% fit, now I feel I am getting to that stage and I hope to start the season as fit as possible.”

This protection from Enrique should now be rewarded by the player, who admits he has now adapted to Barcelona’s distinct style. “Yes, very comfortably, especially when you have Lionel Messi in front for you, it's actually quite easy,” joked Vidal.

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Real Madrid have been on tour in the USA, while both Manchester United and City have travelled to the Far East for their 2016/17 season preparations, which has led Vidal to be thankful that his team are based in England this time around and particularly because St George’s Park is the perfect habitat. 

As the Barcelona stars get back to training at St. George’s Park in the UK, official club partner Beko has released their latest animations of the world-famous footballers including Lionel Messi and his much-talked about platinum blond hair

“I prefer to be here because in previous years, as is normal, we have had to travel the world and it can make you very tired with all the travelling,” confesses the full-back. “All the players and technical staff are comfortable here and they are fantastic facilities.”

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Vidal isn’t interested in the English media’s obsession with Messi’s hair: “I'm not too bothered, for me he is the best and he can do what he wants,” or with Pep Guardiola removing overweight players from Manchester City’s first-team training: “it's the obligation of Pep as manager to make sure his players are in top physical condition.”

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However, he does come alive when talking about tactical comprehension and thinks that the big English teams will once more be amongst the best in Europe in the near future. “With the new managers coming into the Premier League there's a good chance they will get up to up to the level of the Spanish teams.

“The main reason they might improve is because of the tactical nous that will come into the league with Guardiola and (Antonio) Conte. You have always had the physical aspect, but this extra tactical intelligence will raise the level.”