Thiago.

Next summer (or even in this winter transfer window if possible) we should sell Keita and Thiago should be Busquets replacement.

The guy can bring the ball forward almost as good as Busquets, he can keep the ball under pressure, and has improved a looooooooot in making turnovers. He plays it safe, missess few passes, and barely loses the ball now.

All this shows that Thiago has the tactical discipline needed to play the role. He is also surprising me lately with his defending. He is fast, enough strong and a good tackler. He was superb today defensively. My only concern would be GK long shots as he is not very tall, but quite a good header. Also, our team would be smaller, which is already a concern.

What do you think? Another option would be promoting JDS who is doing awesome at the B team, but has the same strenghts and weaknesses than current Thiago without being better than him.

Also, Cesc is probably one of the best on form finishers in the world right now. A pitty he is not faster, because if he were, he could become the best CF in the world.

I get the theory, but I would prefer to see Thiago suiting up closer to the goal. Not because he cant play further away, not because of any real weakness in his game but just because Thiago is so good he would actually be missed in the midfield if Xavi or Iniesta isnt there.

If Keita leaves in the summer (and im not convinced he will, I see Pep convincing him to stay) then I would like to see JDS play back up to Busquets.

Thiago has his own little role in the team which I like him in.

He is a monster defensively though, his spirit and willingness to defend is great and he has the athletic ability for it.

4-0, qualification for next round sealed. Pedro as always in this season - very poor performance. but his from La Masia so he won't get bad ratings from press and supporters. Cuenca laso disappointed, Xavi MOM, Cesc is a hell of striker. Iniesta still not match fit, maybe he will play on Sunday. We finally have good bench - good times. Keita is leaving for AFCON after Sunday - great times.

I'd prefer to have Thiago farther up, probably for the same reasons as Dani...

But also cause I'll still like JDS a helluva lot and would like to see him playing right behind Busquets.

JDS if he gets promoted will be the new replacement. Thiago has got such good control and skill to be a defensive midfielder. Prefer him to be centre/attack mid or left attack.

yeah agree with free that Thiago did doing a very gd defensively, his not making turnovers anymore.. more patient & calm.. he's Xavi's longterm replacement..

JDS or Romeu players who will probably rotate with Busquets when Kieta leaves ( maybe this summer)..

Thiago has been decent in the few games he's played as a DM. It is in his blood his father Mazinho was primarily a DM.

I don't mean that he should be considered only as Busquets replacement.
He should still be considered an AM/CM, all I'm saying is that he should be used as Busquets replacament when busquets is not available. We could keep Mascherano permanently as CB (he is not suited to DM for us) and sell Keita this way.

I don't think we'll rebuy Romeu, it's a lot of money for an eternal bench sitter. I'd rather promote JDS.

I think some sort of height is needed at DM/CB especially if Mascherano becomes a starting CB.

Mascherano hasn't played DM for us in ages now that I think about it lol

As for Thiago, I have noticed he works hard and tracks back well and tackles pretty well for an AM/attacking CM, but I haven't really considered him to be a back up for Busquets tbh

He's fine there and so is JDS. Against most teams I'm content with them playing there. I wouldn't really want them there against a good attacking midfielder though.

I also think he's wasted there because he's so good further up.

I didn't get to watch the game as I was at the cricket, but I saw Busquets started... so it doesn't really make sense to me as to how Thiago was playing DM. Watched about 15 mins of this game.

I think if we don't play Masch there, we should keep Keita.

No, he wasn't playing as DM. I'm just saying that he could adapt well because his defensive work was outstanding and he doesn't do stupid turnovers anymore.

Thiago would do a much better job as DM than Keita any day, because he can be disciplined and also track back (Keita makes forward runs and tracks back slowly) while he is also able to defend with the ball.

Anyway, anything happens, Keita should be out and if we don't trust Machete, JDS or Thiago as Busquets replacements, we should try to sign a new kid-eater DM from France.

BarcaKizz wrote:He's fine there and so is JDS. Against most teams I'm content with them playing there. I wouldn't really want them there against a good attacking midfielder though.

I also think he's wasted there because he's so good further up.

I didn't get to watch the game as I was at the cricket, but I saw Busquets started... so it doesn't really make sense to me as to how Thiago was playing DM. Watched about 15 mins of this game.

I think if we don't play Masch there, we should keep Keita.

We are getting pounded Kizz, and this was supposed to be our best chance to win in Australia..

So people are starting to see it my way at last i see.......

Thiago takes too many risks to be Xavi's long term replacement

I am still facepalming about those discussions.

Immaculate_Mole wrote:So people are starting to see it my way at last i see.......

Thiago takes too many risks to be Xavi's long term replacement

I am still facepalming about those discussions.

Mole, most people here are saying Thiago's too good to be a DM. Not that he takes too many risks.

Most people are also saying that Thiago is ideal to replace Xavi.......

That was'nt the thought process before, alot of people thought he took too many risks and was more of an Iniesta replacement......

I am glad to see people's opinions have changed.

Immaculate_Mole wrote:Most people are also saying that Thiago is ideal to replace Xavi.......

That was'nt the thought process before, alot of people thought he took too many risks and was more of an Iniesta replacement......

I am glad to see people's opinions have changed.

Oh.. i get you now. I misunderstood you earlier. You are right!

But i dont remember those opinions that you are talking about. Most people felt Thiago could play the Xavi role back then too. Or did i miss something?

You can't replace a god with a mortal. Though Thiago is an awesome player. He's just Thiago, not Xavi V.2 or anything. He should play CM for Barca, I've always thought that purely... and as a link man and distributor.

I think he has been terrific defensively this season.Every single game he has put in a great shift.
Just a wonderful wonderful player.
But no I dont want him at DM.He has far too much to offer upfront.

Thiago can play a lot of roles however I think he's best is Iniesta's role. He can use his dribbling, agility, passing, skills etc there.

If he takes a lot of risks why would we say he should be DM?

XD

That's even worse lol

Many people seem to think that high work-rate wingers can play fullback, hard-working midfielders can play CB, etc.

It doesn't work like that, I doubt Thiago has the defensive discipline to be effective at all as a DM.

Omniscient wrote:Many people seem to think that high work-rate wingers can play fullback, hard-working midfielders can play CB, etc.

It doesn't work like that, I doubt Thiago has the defensive discipline to be effective at all as a DM.

He has the discipline, he is proving it every game. Is much more disciplined than Keita for instances, who makes constant forward runs.

Plus, he has played as DM for us sometimes.

I'm not saying he should be a DM, but he could definitely be used as Busquets substitute when Busi is not there.

We have Mascherano and Busi, both are under 25 so we shouldnt even have to worry about that area for a while