Valverde: "Masche is our player and we are counting on him"
The Barcelona boss said after the defender intimated he was thinking of leaving that he remains central to plans as Camp Nou defenders fall by the wayside.
Ernesto Valverde has intimated that Javier Mascherano will be going nowhere in January after the veteran Argentina defender suggested last week that he wanted to leave due to a lack of playing time this season.
However, given Barcelona’s shortage of central defenders, the Camp Nou coach said Mascherano remains an important part of the squad.
Samuel Umtiti, who has replaced Mascherano as Gerard Pique's regular partner at the heart of the Barça defence, was ruled out for two months after tearing a hamstring in a 2-2 draw at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Mascherano himself is also currently side-lined with a hamstring injury, while former Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen has endured a series of injury problems since joining Barça in 2014.
"Masche is our player and we are counting on him. We want him to recover as soon as possible and a believe in him a lot," Valverde said on Monday ahead of Barça's Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday.
Mascherano: I am the type of person that knows when to end an era"
Mascherano had last week raised the possibility that his eight-year spell with Barcelona could be coming to an end due to his lack of game time this season.
"After so long it is clear I don't have much more to give to the club in the future," Mascherano told ESPN Deportes.
"I don't say that with a heavy heart, it is the opposite. I have had the most marvellous years of my career at this club. I am the type of person that knows when it is time to end an era."
However, Umtiti's absence means Mascherano is in line to start Barça's trip to Real Madrid on December 23, and Valverde is even evaluating whether to reinforce his central defence in January.
"We have time to assess. We know Sam's injury is a long one but he will return in January," added Valverde. "When there are injuries it can change your plans, but, in principle, at the moment we are happy with what we have."
Barça are already assured of their place in the Champions League last 16 as Group D winners, meaning Valverde is likely to heavily rotate his side for Sporting's visit to the Camp Nou.
And Valverde raised the possibility that midfielder Sergio Busquets or left-back Lucas Digne could be called on as auxiliary centre-back options.