"?Middlesbrough winger Adama Traore has revealed that he left both Barcelona and Aston Villa due to a lack of opportunities.
The 20-year-old found chances limited while at Barcelona, and was unable to stand out amongst the plethora of talented players at the club.
But, speaking to "?Mundo Deportivo, Traore expressed his belief that he was harshly treated during his time with the La Liga champions.
"I left because I was not given an opportunity," he said. "If I had it, I could say what I lacked. Nor did they tell me why.
"They made me stay at Barca B, where I had been for two years, and my mentality was to keep growing. I just asked them to let me show if I had the right level to be there or not.
"No one spoke to me. I would have liked someone to have given me an explanation."
Having moved to then Premier League side Villa last year, Traore expected to experience an increase in playing time, but was restricted to just 11 appearances.
He admitted earlier this month though, that it was difficult for the managers at the club to fit him in to the struggling side.
"Tim Sherwood wasn't winning but it was difficult for me because I came from the second division in Spain and I needed a little time in the Premier League to see what the league was like and to adapt to the different tactics and the style of play," said Traore - via the "?Birmingham Mail.
"But Tim Sherwood needed to win. He didn't have time to worry about a player coming from the second division in Spain, the only objective for him was needing to win because the team wasn't doing well.
"He didn't get time to think that this player needs time so you can explain about the Premier League and the different tactics."