Miralem Pjanic: “I did not join Barcelona to leave the following season”

Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic has endured somewhat of a rocky start to his first season at the club. Failing to really make an impact so far, he has also struggled for game time under coach Ronald Koeman.

However, the Bosnian midfielder seems determined that he has plenty to offer to the club and does not want to think of leaving immediately. Given his faltering start, Pjanic is considered by many, an expendable prospect who could be offloaded in the summer to free up Barcelona’s funds.

The 30-year-old, who arrived from Juventus as part of a bizarre swap deal that saw promising midfielder Arthur Melo go the other way, has spoken to Mundo Deportivo in today’s edition of their newspaper, stating that he is keen to show what he is capable of.

The player stated first and foremost that he is looking forward to the return of spectators to stadiums. Since Pjanic’s arrival from Italy, matches have continued to be played behind closed doors due to the pandemic. He has therefore not gotten a taste of the Camp Nou atmosphere as yet.

”I dream of a full Camp Nou,” said the former Juventus man.

Speaking about his continuity, he then highlighted his aspirations: “I did not join Barcelona to leave the following season. I want to win the Champions League here.”

Having struggled for consistent game-time, he said he would make a request to the manager to allow him to show his ability: “I would like to ask Koeman for two or three games to show my football, but I’m going to keep working.”

Pjanic has made just 17 La Liga appearances this season, only six of which have been as a starter. The outlet today also highlight that Barcelona have green-lighted contacts between loanee Emerson and Paris Saint Germain regarding a potential transfer.