Vermaelen ready to prove his worth to Barcelona

Thomas Vermaelen is determined to prove himself at Barcelona next season after enduring a “terrible” maiden campaign at the Nou Camp.

Barca signed Vermaelen from Arsenal for £15million last summer, but the Belgian struggled to recover from a hamstring strain he suffered at the World Cup and then sustained a serious thigh injury.

Vermaelen watched on in frustration as his team-mates completed a historic treble. The 29-year-old had to wait until the final league game of the season to make his debut.