Thomas Vermaelen has endured a checkered career so far at Barcelona with injuries derailing the number of games played for the club. since making the move from Arsenal in 2014 the Belgium international has had a club-high 12 injuries.
This season, for instance, he has appeared in just 16 matches in total for the Catalan side missing 15 games as a result of injuries. However, he was a key figure during the absence of Umtiti and Clement Lenglet in November as he formed a good partnership with Gerard Pique at the back.
The arrival of young French sensation Jean-Clear Todibo in January could be the beginning of the end for Vermaelen at the club. Todibo is highly rated across Europe and has impressed the club’s coaching staff during his short period at the club. Barcelona envisages the defender as the fourth first-team defender in the club alongside Lenglet, Pique and Umtiti ahead of next season.
This means that Vermaelen could be on his way out of the club in the summer. He would not be short of suitors Vermaelen as he boasts a good pedigree having played at Arsenal and Roma. But most likely he would return home to Belgium to see out the rest of his career.
The talented Belgium star would be remembered at Nou Camp for his contributions to the club in an era of domestic domination. But many would be wondering how good he could have become if he was able to keep fit all through the season.
