Umtiti's form leads to more questions about his future at Barcelona

Barcelona suffered in Gerard Pique's absence on Tuesday evening as Samuel Umtiti joined Clement Lenglet at the back and made a number of mistakes that afforded Villarreal chances, including two that ended in goals.

It wasn't the French pair's day and Umtiti was the standout for all the wrong reasons. He failed to win easy balls and he gave the hosts something of an advantage.

The biggest problem for Barcelona is that it's not an entirely new situation. The defender isn't at his best nor has he been near it since his injury. It can't be proven whether or not his dip is down to the injury, but he's clearly not the player he was last season.

In the last four games he has played, Barcelona have leaked eight goals. An average of two per game is a troubling total for a side who lead LaLiga Santander and before this Tuesday had conceded an average of less than a goal per fame.

Umtiti's lack of form raises serious questions about his future and all of this is happening while the club are aware that they need to bring in money to fund their signings.

Matthijs de Ligt, another centre back, has been linked with the club, and Umtiti's name has joined the list of Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Rakitic and Jasper Cillessen as those possibly on their way out.

The Frenchman doesn't want to leave, but he needs to improve.

Lenglet has clearly won the right to be Pique's partner. The pair have formed an understanding and are strong together.