Samuel Yves Umtiti is a French professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Spanish club Barcelona and the France national team.
Umtiti is a central defender. In 2018, ESPN FC journalist Sam Marsden was effusive in praising Umtiti, opining that, "As well as reading the game as if it was a children's book, timing his challenges to the millisecond and putting his body on the line in the name of a block, [Umtiti] is a daring defender. [...] He takes risks, feeding the ball between the lines, and rarely picks the wrong option", going on to say, "Of the six summer signings Robert Fernandez made in 2016, Umtiti has proved the sporting director's Mona Lisa [...] Barca should make sure they follow through on their threat to up their security on a player who has the potential to not just keep improving, but who could lead their defence for the next five to 10 years".
Umtiti began his professional career with Lyon in 2012. He totalled 170 games and three goals before a €25 million transfer to Barcelona in 2016. After winning 47 caps and scoring three goals at youth level, Umtiti made his senior debut for France at UEFA Euro 2016, where his nation reached the final. |
