New Barcelona keeper Claudio Bravo has admitted that he is pleasantly surprised by the quality of another new addition – Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
New Barca boss Luis Enrique has three quality keepers to choose from this coming season with former B-team keeper Jordi Masip having been promoted, Claudio Bravo arriving from Real Sociedad and the signing of young German stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Bravo, who impressed for the Chilean national side at this summers World Cup in Brazil is widely expected to take the reigns at the first choice keeper this coming season, although some calls have been made for Ter Stegen to be given a chance from the get go.
And, the former Sociedad keeper has discussed how surprised he is by the quality and ability of the former Borussia Monchengladbach keeper.
“I have been surprised by many things that Ter Stegen has done,” the 31-year-old told Catalunya Radio. “He has great quality and is already talking the native language, Catalan.
“Jordi Masip is also training well and knows the methodology of Barca.
“In my career I have never been a substitute but I have always started from scratch with my peers. Here there is a healthy competition that will help the team to be as prepared as possible.
“I think we both have the same chance to be a starter. But I do not know who will begin there. I think we always have to prepare to be picked but not expect to start.”
Barcelona continue their pre-season preparations on Saturday evening with a game against French side Nice.