Lionel Messi tells Ernesto Valverde to axe Barcelona star for Chelsea clash
LIONEL MESSI has told Ernesto Valverde to drop Barcelona star Andre Gomes against Chelsea.
Posted Wednesday, March 14, 2018 by Dailystar.co.uk
The Spanish giants host the Blues in their Champions League Round of 16 second leg tie tomorrow evening.
Barca and Chelsea couldn't be separated in the first leg, with Messi netting a late equaliser to cancel out Willian's opener.
And according to Spanish outlet Don Balon, who often make bold claims, Messi has told Valverde to alter his starting line-up.
They sensationally claim the Argentina talisman wants Valverde to drop Gomes for tomorrow night's clash at the Nou Camp.
Gomes, 24, has struggled to impress at the Nou Camp following his move to Barca in 2016.
The Portugal international has started just four La Liga games under Valverde, playing a total of 601 minutes in all competitions this time out.
Speaking about his time at Barca recently, Gomes claimed it's been hell.
"I don't feel good on the pitch," he said.
"I am not enjoying what I am doing. The first six months [at Barca] were pretty good but then things changed.
Lionel Messi has told Ernesto Valverde to drop Barcelona star Andre Gomes against Chelsea
"Maybe it's not the right word to use, but it has turned into a kind of hell, because I have started to feel more pressure.
"With pressure, I feel fine, but with the pressure [I put] on myself, I don't. The feeling that I have during games is bad."
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