messixaviesta wrote:

The Franchise wrote:Now im like, lets see who they pick.

I'm more like let's hope they pick someone at least so that we don't end with a shortage of defenders towards the end of the season. Even more importantly let's hope they don't buy one more midfielder. On forwards the situation is more neutral.

Agreed.

Jonathan28 wrote:I approve, sell Villa, buy Neymar and make up for our mistake not to bow Benzema.

That's so incredibly risky that it's stupid, IMO.

The Franchise wrote:

messixaviesta wrote:

The Franchise wrote:Now im like, lets see who they pick.

I'm more like let's hope they pick someone at least so that we don't end with a shortage of defenders towards the end of the season. Even more importantly let's hope they don't buy one more midfielder. On forwards the situation is more neutral.

Agreed.

Seconded.

We won't buy any CB now, press will hail Tito that he prefers to use cantera boy when in reality we don't have money. Fontas, Bartra there will be 4th and 5th CB in our team

Let's hope they don't sell Adriano to use Muniesa as 2nd LB.

Javi Martinez is looking like pretty likely compared to most other CBs we've been linked with.

Personally I think he would be a pretty good signing although probably quite expensive. He can cover for DM so Masche can become a permanent CB if he wasn't already, and that also gives a window for Keita to leave

He can also play as a B2B and has more tools than Busquets imo and is much better in the air.

Although he is prone to comitting fouls and getting booked so I hope he cleans up his tackling and is more composed.

His buy out clause is 40m I read but he said a couple months ago that he thought he was not worth that much.

Finally a Yaya replacement?

Seems like the logical signing at this point but that transfer fee is going to be hard to resolve with other suitors interested...Plus, who knows how Athletic are in the transfer market

Spending €40 million if you needed a DM would have been a sound idea.
However, spending €40 million on a DM when you need a CB is a bad idea.

I'd take those millions to Arsenal and sign Vermaelen or Koscielny and probably save myself some cash as well.

The Club has announced that Keita doesn't want to continue at Barca..

Reports suggest he's off to China.

Thank you Seydou for everything

danyjr wrote:Spending €40 million if you needed a DM would have been a sound idea.
However, spending €40 million on a DM when you need a CB is a bad idea.

I'd take those millions to Arsenal and sign Vermaelen or Koscielny and probably save myself some cash as well.

With Keita on his way out, Javi can be a player that can fill his hole and the lack of a CB.

JAvi Martinez doesn't have level to play for us, neither at CB or DM. At DM we would be better of with Bruno Soriano, and at CB don't get me started. And 40 milion is just 20 milion more than MArtinez's worth.

Martinez would be completely silly, I dont get why people want this.

First of all, he wouldnt be taking Keita's role. Keita shouldnt of even had a role to begin with.

The rare times Busquets doesnt play DM, JDS should. Martinez isnt even a DM, Itteraspe plays that holding role. Martinez when in midfield has been a guy who drives forward.

And Martinez as a CB, god grief no.

The Franchise wrote:Martinez would be completely silly, I dont get why people want this.

First of all, he wouldnt be taking Keita's role. Keita shouldnt of even had a role to begin with.

The rare times Busquets doesnt play DM, JDS should. Martinez isnt even a DM, Itteraspe plays that holding role. Martinez when in midfield has been a guy who drives forward.

And Martinez as a CB, god grief no.

Excellent comments - pretty much explain everything.

Koscielny looks the best option for Barcelona in my opinion.

Excellent on the ball, can pass the ball from the back and will be comfortable playing in a high defensive line as he is pretty fast not to mention he plays offside trap very well compared to the Mascherano-Piqué duo. The only concern will be his lack of leadership in the defensive line.

And regarding Dedé I believe most people are excited because they haven't watched much from him other than a few videos.

Just promote: Muniesa/Bartra + JDS (they are already promoted, hope they continue)...

No need for any transfers...

Disagree Khaled.... Barca need a CB like a fat kid needs a treadmill.

And one who is good in the air at that.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Disagree Khaled.... Barca need a CB like a fat kid needs a treadmill.

And one who is good in the air at that.

Think about it again..
Which team has 3 CB with Puyol/Pique/Masche Quality??

Injuries are part of the game.. you should have 1 quality Sub (we have Mascherano) + 2 B team players who deserve to take their chance now.. (Bartra and Muniesa) will play minor games until they have enough experience and take Puyol's place hopefully (in the near future)...

We can't buy Luiz, or Vermaelen for 25-30M (if not more)etc.. and put them
on bench in case one of our CBs got injured...


Pinto, Masche, Bartra, Muniesa, Adriano, Montoya, Jds, Thiago, Afellay, Cesc, Pedro/Alexis, Cuenca, Tello...

Is great bench/reserves, we don't need more.. Just the players stay fit (away from injuries).

Pinto
Montoya Masche Bartra/Muniesa Adriano
Thiago JDS Afellay
Cuenca/Tello Cesc Pedro/Alexis




Valdes
Alves Pique Puyol Alba
Xavi Busquets Iniesta
Pedro/Alexis Messi Villa

If Pique is crap, Mascherano continues to suck in big games and Puyol doesnt find a time machine which also heals injury proness then MANY teams have 3 CB's with more quality.

Its not about buying a CB because we lack numbers, its buying one because our options right now are shaky at best.

The Franchise wrote:If Pique is crap, Mascherano continues to suck in big games and Puyol doesnt find a time machine which also heals injury proness then MANY teams have 3 CB's with more quality.

Its not about buying a CB because we lack numbers, its buying one because our options right now are shaky at best.

Puyol, Masche and Pique are fit now..

Let's say we bought Luiz (for 30M//example)..

Do you think he will play in the 1st game against Real Madrid for example?
In big games, Pique and Puyol (when fit) will starts anyway...

Another point, we can't guarantee that Luiz (example) will fit in the system..
It's a big risk...

I prefer to take this risk, with players that deserve it the most.. B teams players who knows the system, love Barca, waited all there life for this chance & they won't cost a single euro... Muniesa/Bartra deserve this chance more than any player we might buy... (IMO)

To add to what Dani said, not only this, but you have to hope to all hell there are no injuries. Throw in a couple injuries and we have the same situation we had last season with the forwards. Having youngsters in your team is great, but unless they are truly class and are stepping it up big time and deserve to be there (i.e. is actually giving starting players a run for their money) then you shouldn't be relying on youth to play a major role in your season. A case of this being a success is Pedro, but most cases won't be like that.

And if your a team expecting to win La Liga and get far into the CL if not win it, then not buying anyone who's class and relying on your youth is extremely risky. Look how it's working out for Arsenal, they've won a lot recently.

Again, besides that, look at Dani's point, at this moment in time, our CB's our shaky as it is.

Mole put this well:

Barca need a CB like a fat kid needs a treadmill

It is not a question of hoping people not get injured. You should NOT count on Abidal and Puyol. Seriously, these guys are old and with ongoing chronic injury/health issues. You will need a top CB to challenge for La Liga and/or Champions League.

Khaled.... sometimes you need to gamble to win the jackpot.

I would personally spend 30m on a top class CB, it would be the difference between regaining La Liga and CL and winning nothing.

If i have learnt anything from our owner (Newcastle) Calculated risks can sometimes pay off big time.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Khaled.... sometimes you need to gamble to win the jackpot.

I would personally spend 30m on a top class CB, it would be the difference between regaining La Liga and CL and winning nothing.

If i have learnt anything from our owner (Newcastle) Calculated risks can sometimes pay off big time.

This is hardly a calculated risk though.

Not getting a CB would be a calculated risk. Well, not even that, it would be a stupid decision and a stupid risk that should never be taken.

We definitely need some depth. We play our starting 11 way too much and they got fatigued last year when we needed them most

CBarca wrote:

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Khaled.... sometimes you need to gamble to win the jackpot.

I would personally spend 30m on a top class CB, it would be the difference between regaining La Liga and CL and winning nothing.

If i have learnt anything from our owner (Newcastle) Calculated risks can sometimes pay off big time.

This is hardly a calculated risk though.

Not getting a CB would be a calculated risk. Well, not even that, it would be a stupid decision and a stupid risk that should never be taken.

What i meant by that is spending 10-15m over the top to get a top quality CB in.

It's not like Barca haven't done the same for midfielders and forwards in recent memory.

The rest of the squad is fantastic but a dominating CB who is decent technically and good positional sense is something that quite frankly is missing.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Khaled.... sometimes you need to gamble to win the jackpot.

I would personally spend 30m on a top class CB, it would be the difference between regaining La Liga and CL and winning nothing.

If i have learnt anything from our owner (Newcastle) Calculated risks can sometimes pay off big time.

How can you guarantee that the new CB will solve the problem?
What if he turned to be the new Chygrensky?
I prefer to take gamble with B Team players:
1- Barca has up to 4 talented CBs: Bartra, Fontas, Muniesa and Sergi Gomez.
2- The probability that one of the 4 Talented CBs who fits the system (free) succeed at Barca >> 1 World Class CB that will cost 30M+ and not sure if he fits in the system.


Anyway, thats my opinion...

That's what your scouting team's job is for.... watch player's extensively to make sure they fit the system.

I'd argue it's more risky relying on kid's who are arguably not ready yet.

And Bartra and Fontas IMO not good enough.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

CBarca wrote:

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Khaled.... sometimes you need to gamble to win the jackpot.

I would personally spend 30m on a top class CB, it would be the difference between regaining La Liga and CL and winning nothing.

If i have learnt anything from our owner (Newcastle) Calculated risks can sometimes pay off big time.

This is hardly a calculated risk though.

Not getting a CB would be a calculated risk. Well, not even that, it would be a stupid decision and a stupid risk that should never be taken.

What i meant by that is spending 10-15m over the top to get a top quality CB in.

It's not like Barca haven't done the same for midfielders and forwards in recent memory.

The rest of the squad is fantastic but a dominating CB who is decent technically and good positional sense is something that quite frankly is missing.

Oh yeah I got what you meant. I was simply adding to it.

I'd argue it's more risky relying on kid's who are arguably not ready yet.

It is very risky and I don't understand why Barca would do that, especially with our starting CB's being shaky as they are.

It would be so stupid for Barca to not get a top CB. We are Barca, one of the best in the world if not the best, we need a top CB if we want to continue on with this success. If we want any success we need someone at least. And I mean, this is Barca, we have the necessary cash to do that, we aren't some team struggling with finances.

You can't just ignore top players and persist on with youth and expect to win La Liga/CL. Just look at Arsenal. Sometimes you gotta spend to give that one extra something that defines a season as a success or not.