Ellie Roebuck: former goalkeeper of Manchester City to recover from the stroke and join Barcelona
Roebuck no longer played for Manchester City after his blow, but he was able to complete his dream move in Barcelona in the summer.
Yet he says that the way his last season was managed in a club in which he did more than 100 appearances has left his confidence “decreased”.
“I felt like perhaps my relationship with the manager (Gareth Taylor) has been fractured.
“I don’t know if I was, perhaps not listening to clear communication or the fact that there was no clear communication.
“I lowered my head and just tried to work every day, but I think it was a seriously managed situation. I have always been professional. I felt as if respect was not reciprocated in the same sense.”
Roebuck states that while he was “devastated” to leave the city, he did joining Barcelona, who won three of the last four Champions League titles, a very easy decision.
However, he admits that his first training session with the club after six months was much more difficult than he expected.
“After returning from being a brain injury and then saying that you have to immerse yourself at someone’s feet, it’s not the most beautiful. But I had to overcome it.
“Barcelona showed confidence in me and for me, it was more important than anyone who said that you can have an initial role. It is the fact that they showed confidence in me and they wanted me here and want to improve me.
“The girls are fantastic. The first three nominated Ballon d’Or are all in this locker room and it was a shock how beautiful everyone is, it is crazy for me. I have never been part of a team other than the English team that is so.
“So, for me it’s a perfect solution and I like to go every day.”
Now 25, Roebuck did it The boat debut in December in a 4-1 victory over Real Betis, 303 days after his diagnosis and more than 18 months from his last appearance.
“Everyone expected that I was nervous, but I felt good when I went out there. This is the type of mantra I’m looking for, every time I get that opportunity, I just want to enjoy.”
