Thomas Vermaelen has been one of the biggest disappointments for Barcelona ever since the Belgian international came to the club in 2014.
He arrived for a reasonably high transfer fee of €15 million, but he has managed only 21 appearances in all competitions for the club in the last two years. More worryingly, the bulk of these appearances came in the current campaign with Vermaelen spending almost the entire 2014-15 season on the sidelines. He does not seem to be completely free from injuries, as he has once again spent the last few weeks on the sidelines.
Barcelona, though, have been boosted by the potential return of the 30-year-old for the final la Liga match of the campaign.The return of Vermaelen is more important for the Belgian national team, who have been desperately unlucky with regard to injuries to their major centre backs. Only recently, the national team has received a setback in form of Vincent Kompany, who will definitely miss the Euro 2016 after yet another recurring injury. Vermaelen may be able to pick up the la Liga winner’s medal by virtue of his limited appearances, but he will be disappointed with the season nonetheless. The 30-year-old has vowed to fight on for his place at Barcelona despite his issues.
“Thomas Vermaelen has been given the medical all clear to return to action. The Belgian has now recovered from the calf injury that has kept him out since 11 April.The international defender has played 20 matches so far this season, 15 as a starter, in his second campaign as a Barca player,” said a statement from the club ahead of the final league match against Granada. Barcelona will be able to win the league title if they get a victory in this away match. The team are one point ahead of Real Madrid.