Ronald Koeman Blasts 'Leaker' Riqui Puig in Barcelona Dressing Room Clash

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman blasted starlet Riqui Puig in a dressing room clash in September, telling the youngster 'you are the leaker' in front of his teammates, after information of his exclusion from the squad was handed to the media.

Puig has long been considered the future of this Blaugrana midfield, and he delivered some superb displays when given the opportunity under Quique Setien last season.

However, he has seen his playing time diminish since Ronald Koeman's arrival in the summer, after news broke that the 21-year-old was free to find a new club, and was set to play no part in the Dutchman's plans. As if to stress this point, the Barça coach left Puig out of the squad to face Elche in September.

And El Pais Deportes reports that Koeman believed the news of his exclusion from the match was prematurely leaked to the press by Puig himself, and he singled him out in the dressing room in front of his teammates for this break of trust.

"You are a leaker," the coach is believed to have said to the starlet.

Koeman's actions were supported by a number of the players, who appreciated his attitude towards ridding the dressing room of leaks and untrustworthy figures.

However, others noted his hypocrisy, having not done the same to Luis Suarez when a phone conversation between the pair surfaced, in which the boss told the Uruguayan that his time at the club was over.

It appeared to be the end of the road for Puig at Barça, having played only three minutes in La Liga in a 1-0 defeat to Getafe. He has been given more time in the Champions League however, where he has impressed supporters during his brief cameos.

Calls are growing louder for the La Masia product to be included in the starting lineup in the league, especially with Barcelona absolutely decimated with injury struggles.