Further away from Barça? Ernesto Valverde calls up Nico Williams for the 1st matchday of LaLiga

Athletic Club remains confident about Nico Williams' continuity this season. Coach Ernesto Valverde included the winger in the squad list for the duel against Getafe, which will make him available for the Bilbao team's debut in LaLiga this Thursday in San Mamés at 7:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. CEST). The other Spanish international of the 'lions', Dani Vivian, was also summoned by the Basque coach, although both reported late for the preseason.

In Nico's case, he has barely accumulated a week of training, although he was left out of the last friendly of the summer against Stuttgart (4-0). Athletic added two victories (against Eibar and Osasuna) and the same number of defeats (the other, against Aston Villa) during the preseason. The youngest of the Williams has trained normally and could start in a match where he will also debut the number '10' that he inherited from Iker Muniain.

Valverde will have Nico Williams, as long as he can

In this regard, Valverde was very clear when referring to the options of losing his main figure this summer. Although he did not completely close the door upon his departure, the Basque will count on him while he is available. "I see Nico well and I understand that he is going to be with us, but I am not the one to say if this player is going to be here or not. I can speak for myself. For the players that I see, I understand that they are going to be with us, but I don't want to jump into the pool just in case. I always try to be a little cautious, sometimes it's too much, but what do you want me to do," explained the 'txingurri' in the previous press conference.

For the debut at home against Getafe, the coach called up a total of 22 players. The Basques will look to start the season on the right foot at home, a week before visiting Barça in Montjuïc on August 24. This is the deadline that the Catalans consider to close the 'soap opera' with the 21-year-old player, Barça's main target in the summer market. At the moment, the club maintains hopes of signing him, although optimism has diminished in recent days.