Luis Enrique has admitted that Barcelona had “doubts” over whether they had paid too much for Luis Suarez when the club signed him from Liverpool for £75million last year.
However the Barcelona coach, whose own future is uncertain, said that Suarez had banished those fears with his performances during this outstanding season and “great hunger to win trophies” which culminated in scoring the vital second goal in Saturday’s 3-1 Champions League Final victory over Juventus in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
“When we thought about Luis Suarez and considered him we knew about his great qualities and figures (goals and assists) but we had our doubts in that we did not know whether he would adapt,” Enrique said.
“But I think we can say he is one of the best players we signed and it was a good decision to trust him. We paid a lot of money for him but he has shown great hunger to win trophies.”
•It’s official – Suarez was right to leave Liverpool
Suarez has struck a devastating attacking ‘trident’ with Lionel Messi and Neymar – who also scored in Berlin – with 122 goals between them this as Barcelona become the first side to win a treble of trophies (La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Champions League) in one season for a second time.
Barcelona achieved similar remarkable feat in Pep Guardiola’s first season in charge six years ago.
This is also Enrique’s first campaign and the coach deliberately refused to commit his future to Barcelona for next season after the constant criticism he has faced from the Spanish media.
There have also been tensions behind the scenes with rumours of a dispute with Messi and with Andoni Zubizarreta, who hired Enrique, sacked during the season after losing a power struggle.defeats, four draws and those figures show this is one of the best seasons ever for a club like Barcelona. You can define that in your newspaper tomorrow,” Enrique told one Barcelona reporter after the match.
Of his own future, he added: “The time will come when decisions have to be made. The time now is to celebrate. It has been a difficult year, a year of transition. I have to thank all the people who trusted me. Zubizaretta and others who felt I was the best person to lead Barcelona.
“I am so happy at the moment. I have zero interest in the press, the journalists and what they saw about me. It is easy to be critical. I know where I am, what my job is and what my position is. This is obviously a moment when I am elated. Let me repeat I need to enjoy a great celebration, a great party.” Telegraph, UK
