Vidal slams Barca for poor squad management: They have to change 'a lot'

Midfielder Arturo Vidal has criticized Barcelona for a lack of preparation that caused them to play out the remainder of the 2019-20 season with just a handful of senior players in the squad.

"Barcelona have to change a lot of things," Vidal said, according to ESPN's Alex Kirkland. "A team that I think is the best in the world can't have 13 professional players and the rest be youngsters. Every team has 23 players to fight for a place, to grow and get better every day. When they don't advance, when you think that with your DNA you can always win, you're very mistaken."

The 33-year-old is now in talks with Barcelona to terminate his contract, according to The Guardian's Fabrizio Romano.

Newly appointed manager Ronald Koeman reportedly informed Vidal he's not in his plans for the upcoming campaign.

Inter Milan are said to be leading the race to sign the Chilean international, per Romano. Nerazzurri boss Antonio Conte managed Vidal at Juventus from 2011-2014.

Vidal seems open to the idea of returning to Juventus and playing under Andrea Pirlo, who was appointed as manager earlier in August.

"He was incredible as a player. Imagine him as a coach," Vidal added, via Kirkland. "If he or Juventus call me, I'd be happy, but you have to stay calm. If it happens, it happens. I've got a lot of affection for Juventus and Andrea."

Vidal joined Barcelona from Bayern Munich in 2018 to the consternation of fans but became a regular under Ernesto Valverde and his successor, Quique Setien, starting 51 matches over the last two seasons.