Eric Abidal Heaps Praise On Barcelona's Samuel Umtiti

FC Barcelona legend Eric Abidal has heaped praise on current defender Samuel Umtiti, who joined the club from Lyon this summer.

And he paid his fellow Frenchman the ultimate compliment when he likened the centre-back to Franz Beckenbauer - widely considered to be one of the most cultured defenders ever to take to the pitch.

Umtiti, 22, has played four times for Barcelona this summer including one appearance in the Champions League in the 7-0 drubbing of Celtic at the Nou Camp. He has already slotted into the Barca side with relative ease and has drawn comparisons to Abidal, who spent six fruitful years in Catalonia.

And the 37-year old is clearly a big fan.

As quoted by Tu Dira, he said:

"Umtiti is much better than Abidal. He will be the black Beckenbauer of Barca!"

Umtiti will surely be over the moon with that comment, coming from a true Barca and France great.

(h/t Squawka)

Topics: FC Barcelona, Samuel Umtiti

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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