Luis Suarez signing is already paying dividends for Barcelona

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique said Luis Suarez has already proved his worth even though he is yet to play a competitive game since his £75 million move from Liverpool.

Luis Suarez, centre, is already paying dividends at FC Barcelona according to coach Luis Enrique. Alex Caparros / Getty Images

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique said Luis Suarez has already proved his worth even though he is yet to play a competitive game since his £75 million (Dh488m) move from Liverpool.

The Uruguayan remains unavailable for another month after receiving a four-month ban for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in June.

Suarez could make his debut in Enrique's first clasico as Barca boss away to Real Madrid on October 25.

Enrique said Suarez’s attitude in training has already made him an important signing for the club.

“He is adapting and waiting for his opportunity. He is training as if he could play [now] and that was our objective,” the coach said.

“Already, even without playing, I think he is helping us and has been a good signing.”

Barca have started Enrique’s reign with four consecutive wins and four clean sheets for the first time in the club’s history.

The former Celta Vigo coach still received criticism for making nine changes as the Catalans struggled past APOEL Nicosia 1-0 to open their Uefa Champions League campaign on Wednesday.

There are likely to be another wave of changes for today’s trip to bottom of the table Levante.

Enrique said he will continue to rotate his squad throughout the season and hinted even Lionel Messi would not be excluded from his changes from game to game.

“Being without Messi would affect us like any other team,” Enrique said. “If he could play every minute he would, but I understand that is difficult.”

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