All eyes were on Denis Suarez as he was included from the start for Barcelona against Sevilla. The development of the 22-year-old has been rather quick and surprising to many, for fans of Barcelona and neutrals.
The youngster had a good game against Sevilla and was singled out for praise by Barcelona manager Luis Enrique in his post-match interview, "I'd like to highlight Denis Suarez. Every time he's had a chance he's taken advantage by performing well.”
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"It's difficult to perform when you're not starting regularly, but Denis is managing to do that. With that attitude, when you see what he's doing, you have to congratulate him and hold him up as an example of what a good professional is."
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Suarez had been used as a substitute against Leganes, Sporting Gijon, Celta Vigo, Deportivo La Coruna and Valencia before starting against Granada and Sevilla. Although he is yet to start in the Champions League, there is a lot expected of the youngster who now wears Xavi’s iconic number 6 shirt.
His statistics certainly prove that if given time, he could replace Iniesta in Barcelona’s midfield in the long term, if not already Xavi’s heir apparent.
What was perhaps the icing on the cake was Iniesta’s Whatsapp message, which he sent to Denis Suarez, “At the end of the game against Sevilla [Iniesta] sent me a Whatsapp message to congratulate me,” Suarez explained.
“I was really excited. He told me that I had played really well and with a lot of personality. I replied saying that his message had made me really happy.”
The youngster also added about his ambitions at Barca, “My objective is to consolidate myself [in the team]. I want to earn my place and be here for many years.
“I’m fighting to start games. I know I’ve just got here and I have to be patient and try to take advantage of my chances.”
Iniesta has been a long-standing idol for Denis Suarez as he told reporters, "Since I was young I've focused on Andres."
"He's an example not just as a player, but also as a person. I've come here to learn how Iniesta plays in a similar, nearly identical position to me, and hopefully, in the future, I might prove to be as good as he is."
Also Read: Denis Suarez - Heir apparent to Andres Iniesta?
Denis Suarez must certainly be happy with praise coming in from his manager and captain as Barcelona look to win trophies this season. The 22-year-old Spaniard cannot be compared to Xavi and Iniesta as yet, but he certainly has all the makings of reaching their level as time goes on and continues his development.
Here are his highlights against Sevilla
