Johan Cruyff has leapt to Thierry Henry's defence, saying that the French striker has in fact done a decent job at Barcelona so far and will only get better with time.
The former Barcelona legend remarked to Sport, "We need to acknowledge all the things that he's done.
"In his situation, many players would have thought of themselves ahead of the team. Henry hasn't done this: he thinks of the team rather than himself.
"He's come into the side after many months injured and adapted to the role of undisputed starter in each game."
Henry's performances in recent times have been deemed ineffectual by some, but Cruyff is quick to point out the demands made of the modern footballer.
"In the past ten days he's played four matches, and let's not forget that he's 30 years old," began the former Dutch international.
"[Lionel] Messi went to Argentina and Venezuela [for internationals], also played four matches in ten days and didn't return with all due freshness, and he's only 20. So how could Henry do so?"
And, as such, Cruyff retains faith in Henry.
"His best times are yet to come," he emphasised.
"Nobody who has criticised him will concede that he came to Barcelona after overcoming injury, and just changed clubs, and by virtue of circumstances has been unable to enjoy a normal vacation.
"He had to spent most of his time in recovery.
"And he's still been quite good!"
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