Koeman gives his verdict on Griezmann’s Barca struggles

Antoine Griezmann has struggled to deliver under Ronald Koeman this season after a lackluster debut campaign for Barcelona.

Koeman reckons Griezmann is lacking confidence right now, but the Barcelona manager is confident he will rediscover his form.

The Frenchman, who joined the club from Atletico Madrid last year for €120m, has struggled to live up to his price tag. In fact, he’s only managed 17 goals and five assists in 57 appearances across all competitions.

But while Griezmann missed a penalty in last weekend’s 5-2 win over Real Betis, his early second-half goal restored the club’s lead before Lionel Messi took to the stage at Camp Nou.

“He needs a bit more confidence and scoring goals always gives you that confidence,” Koeman told Mundo Deportivo.

“You can’t say he doesn’t work, he works a lot, but maybe he feels a little more free when he’s with the national team, having been with them a long time and always playing in the same position.

“There’s are many more things besides, but a player who is working and trying so much to change things, I think in the end he’ll get to where he wants to be.

“His best position is maybe more central, as a No 9, a No 10 behind a nine, with a lot of freedom on the right wing cutting in, with [Ousmane] Dembele playing more outside. They’re positions in which he can give a lot to this team.”

Koeman also opened up briefly on Barcelona’s rumored interest in Memphis Depay.