Samuel Umtiti hails Gerard Pique influence at Barcelona

Gerard Pique of Barcelona (top) celebrates with team mates after the goal scored by Ivan Rakitic during the UEFA Champions League Final between Juventus and FC Barcelona at Olympiastadion on June 6, 2015
© Getty Images
Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti reveals that Gerard Pique has played a key role in the Frenchman settling into life at Camp Nou.

Samuel Umtiti has said that Gerard Pique has played a key role in the Frenchman's settling in at Barcelona.

Umtiti, who joined Barcelona from Lyon in the summer, has started the Spanish outfit's last three matches alongside Pique at the heart of the defence.

The 22-year-old has drawn widespread praise for his early performances at Camp Nou and the centre-back has credited "head of the defence" Pique for 'helping him progress'.

"On the field Gerard tells me a lot," Umtiti told Mundo Deportivo. "He is the head of the defence, he guides me and advises me. It helps me to progress."

Barcelona have won both of their La Liga matches at the start of the 2016-17 campaign. They will continue their title defence at home to newly-promoted Deportivo Alaves on September 10.

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