Speaking in an exclusive interview with Catalunya Radio, Barcelona defender Hector Bellerin has insisted that he is happy at the club but his contract renewal is not in his hands.
The 27-year-old former La Masia trainee returned to Barça this past summer, arriving on a free transfer after his Arsenal contract was terminated.
Bellerin signed just a one-year deal with the Blaugrana due to the club dealing with some Financial Fair Play issues and it had been reported that a discussion over an extension will be held around January, based on his performances.
However, things have not gone all too well for Bellerin on his return to Barcelona. The right-back has struggled for game-time due to fitness problems and has failed to perform when he has been given an opportunity by manager Xavi Hernandez.
So, there remain question marks about whether he will be handed a contract renewal by the club before his current one expires. And Bellerin has said that it is not in his hands but he is happy to be back at Barcelona.
“It was very nice to return home. At the moment I have signed a one-year contract and we are waiting to see how everything goes for both parties. Renewing is something that does not depend on me, but I am very happy at Barça,” he said.
The Spanish defender also opened up on how it has been for him since returning to his boyhood club, given that he has found minutes hard to come by.
“I’m very happy to be here and to be able to enjoy playing for Barça because it’s a dream I’ve always had. When you arrive on the last day of the transfer window and you haven’t done the pre-season it’s always harder to get in,” he said.
“But I’m happy with the way everything is developing on a footballing and personal level.”
Bellerin also claimed that manager Xavi Hernandez has a clear picture of what he wants from the team, saying:
“The team is very new, there have been many injuries… These projects take time to produce results because it takes time to do things well. Both Xavi and the team are very clear about what we want and, little by little, we’re doing it.”
Commenting on Barcelona’s exit from the UEFA Champions League, Bellerin added: “We are disappointed. We thought we could do great things in the Champions League. A set of coincidences meant that we could not get past the groups and we have been left with a bitter aftertaste.”
But, the right-back insisted that the team was still alive in four competitions and Barcelona will have to compete for each of those trophies.
“We are still in four competitions. We are doing very well in La Liga. Winning all the competitions is ‘mandatory’, it is the responsibility of playing for Barça,” he added.