Ibrahim Afellay attends his first training session at Barcelona
The Spanish Champions did not waste much time in buying their only January transfer window target, Ibrahim Afellay. The Dutch youngster arrived in Barcelona a week ago and after going back home for a winter break he is back in
the Nou Camp to join his new team mates for his first training session in the Blaugrana training kit.
December 29th was the day when Ibrahim Afellay managed to meet most of the Barcelona players, who are now going to be his new team mates. Most of the Barcelona players were back except the injured Carles Puyol and Lionel
Messi, who got special permission from Josep Guardiola.
Ibrahim Afellay has been a Barcelona man for five days now and it was time for him to meet his new team members. The Dutch star was in a great mood since the beginning and kept on showing great interest in each and every exercise.
He looked to be at home while being on the field and he was playing with others for the first time. He warmed up separately and joined everyone, later in the day, for the usual everyday training. He was very discreet about everything and showed great respect
for the boss as he accepted his roles gracefully. For now, it does not look like he is going to find it difficult to settle in the La Blaugrana.
The former PSV captain is not going to be in action very soon. Currently, the players are against the Spanish Football Association and they are not ready to play on the 2nd of January, as they want to play on the 3rd.
However, even if they do play Levante on the 3rd, the newly signed Barcelona youngster is not going to be in action because his inscriptions will take time.
However, the Dutch star is going to be playing for Barcelona during the Copa del Rey fixture. The half-Dutch, half-Moroccan midfielder might be featuring as a first team player for the La Blaugrana once they face Athletic Club
in San Mames. The first leg was drawn at the Nou Camp and Bilbao were able to defend well as they came out with a goalless draw. However, Barcelona are carrying a 100% away form and they are going to try their best to beat the mid table Spanish side to reach
the next round of the Spanish Cup.
The question is whether Josep Guardiola will play the newly signed player in such an important Cup Game. There is no doubt that the Catalan boss loves playing young and new players in such crucial fixtures so that he can check
their potential. However, with Afellay just arriving at Barcelona, he will definitely need some time just like the Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano. who is still trying hard to reach a point where he can feature in the first team of the La Blaugrana.
Afellay had taken four days off since he arrived at Barcelona. He reached at 23rd and left for home on the 24th. The Dutch player was on a vacation and he is now back to do what he does best – play football.