Samuel Umtiti Reveals How Training Alongside Barcelona's Deadly MSN Has Made Him a Better Player

Samuel Umtiti has revealed that playing alongside Barcelona's fearsome front three has helped move his game on to the next level.

The defender joined the La Liga giants in the summer from Ligue 1 side Lyon, and has praised Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez for the trio's help in making him a better player.

Umtiti said he believes that training alongside, and against, the world renowned triumvirate has ensured that he is ready to tackle any opposition striker that is thrown his way and, in quotes published by Marca, told the press ahead of France's upcoming international matches that he owed much of his on-field progression to the South American trio.

He said: "[Being at Barcelona] changes me and I am very happy to be there. It's amazing [playing alongside Messi, Suarez and Neymar]. It is a pleasure to train with them every day.

"They are exceptional. It makes me grow as well. You really are focused and apply yourself all the time. It is for all these reasons I went to Barcelona."

Umtiti has played 10 matches already for Barcelona this season, and has won over the Camp Nou faithful with a string of solid performances at the back for Luis Enrique's side.

The 22-year-old admitted that he has had to learn quickly to adapt to the club's famed footballing philosophy, and added that he had been left pleasantly surprised to hear Barcelona supporters applauding him for his displays at the heart of the defence so early into his career with the Catalonian club.

Umtiti said: "I try to play naturally. The most important thing is to remain efficient and this is not easy because Barca plays completely differently [to Lyon].

"To adapt quickly I had to watch videos, I am learning their playing system. That is why the fans like me. It surprised me that my name was applauded at several matches. I must stay focused on my goal. The intelligence of their game requires a lot of thinking about positioning. You have to adapt. For a defender, it's complicated to play at Barcelona."

Read more from Tom Power by following him on twitter!