The scout who discovered Antoine Griezmann has said that he is saddened by the predicament that the Frenchman currently finds himself in at Barcelona.
Eric Olhats sought the attacker when he was a teenager for Real Sociedad, and the player has gone on to be one of the most highly-rated forwards in the world.
But his career has taken a small step backwards at the Nou Camp, where he has put on some mixed displays for the Catalonian side, ever since joining from Atletico Madrid for a reported £107million.
“When he left Atletico Madrid, I was sad to see the controversy that there was. It really affected me,” Olhats said to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo.
“I can understand why he would want to sign for Barcelona. Barca is Barca.
“Other players and friends said that his game was going to fit in and adapt very well to the way Barca play, tiki-taka and all that, but I don’t like his performances.
“You see that there are problems, that he isn’t enjoying it.”
The scout went on to suggest that the 29-year-old is 'capable' of turning around his fortunes at Barcelona, but feels that he needs more support from his teammates.
“He can give much more and he doesn’t say anything. He tried to do it without saying anything.
“It seems that he does not receive as many passes from the other players, or as much from the boss.”
Griezmann made 201 appearances for Sociedad, scoring 52 goals in all competition.
He then moved to Atletico for £24million, where his performances earned him plenty of plaudits, before making the move to Barcelona, where he has been unable to live up to his former reputation.
In February the striker admitted that he hasn't been quite up to scratch on the football pitch, but that he hopes his newfound relationship with Lionel Messi will transpire into success on the pitch.
