Rumor: Ernesto Valverde pleased with Nélson Semedo’s progress

Nélson Semedo has stepped in to fill the void at right-back following Sergi Roberto’s injury, and he is impressing Ernesto Valverde doing so, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Roberto has been the team’s starter for a while now despite being a converted midfielder, but Semedo offers a few things the Barcelona academy product does not. Perhaps his biggest strength compared to Roberto is his pace.

The fullback had a good showing against Espanyol, and in particular, his defensive work once again impressed.

MD says Valverde has told his staff that he sees Semedo as a starter, but the timeframe for that to come true was not specified. For the moment though, he remains the #1, at least until Roberto returns.