Javier Mascherano : El Jefecito

Mascherano wasn't at the time the best transfer but it was developing into a central defender that made him our best transfer in Pep's reign.

I remember Marca and As making pols who was the biggest flop, and people (read RM fans) were voting for Masche a lot, saying he did not play at all. Also they were saying that here in this forum. It'll be fun to find those posts now

Well tbh Masch was a sh*t signing... Pep and Zubi didn't sign him to play CB. Its just pure luck that he's been able to play it and has turned into our beast of a CB this season. The reasoning behind it was to have another midfielder... Evidence is clear in that early on with our shortages at CB, he'd play Busi at CB and Masch at DM. He then saw it wasn't working and Masch was conveniently brilliant at CB.

No credit goes to the technical team for it. Theoretically it was stupid and at the time we all agreed too. Its just luck.

I agree but he away far away from flop, and i am sure Pep thought about the possibility of shuffling Busi and Masche at the back and find the best fit. I mean Masche was a wall defensively when he played in DM, and Pep knew that either him or Bussi would do, it was just matter of experimenting and finding the best fit.

Masche was a flop as DM as I and other people predicted.
However, as a CB he is immense and the heir to Puyol. We've found our Puyol replacement before we intended. A future captain of the team.

I love it when he unsheathes his machete in the midle of the fight and starts cutting legs.

Machete! Tek a son.

Masche wasn't flop at DM. He was bad at first, but after two months when Pep started to give him time, he improved. He was very good as a DM from January 2011, very good games vs Zaragoza and Arsenal (that tackle). Since Pep put him as a permanent CB, he didn't play DM in our system and when Pep put him there (Osasuna away in the League and Cup) he looked sloppy, but this is normal when you consider that he didn't play for 9-10 months as a DM in our team. If Pep didn't give minutes to useless Keita and play Masche from time to time as a DM second option, he would be good there. I don't agree that he was a flop DM. Better option that Keita definitely.

Machete was a flop as DM. He was such a flop that he had his position changed permanently! You can't argue with facts like that.

I agree he is better there than Keita, but Keita is a flop too at DM.

So... basically this means he was a bad 'signing'. Because we signed him as a midfielder.

BarcaKizz wrote:So... basically this means he was a bad 'signing'. Because we signed him as a midfielder.

Well, no, it means that as a DM it was a terrible signing, but he end up being a great signing because the manager changed his position and he was willing and more skilled to CB.

Things like this happen all the time.

BarcaKizz wrote:So... basically this means he was a bad 'signing'. Because we signed him as a midfielder.

While I can see where you're coming from, and see why other people would feel the same, don't you think you're taking out on Mascherano things that were completely out of his control? Yes, he was not able to do the fantastic job he did for Liverpool at DM but it wasn't "pure luck" that had him being able to play CB, it was professionalism of the highest caliber (how many footballers would have demanded to leave rather than learn a new trade?) and tons of effort. And Mascherano is now a better footballer due to it. In terms of retunrns Masche has contributed more than any other Pep signing bar Alves and Pique and perhaps Villa.

Alves was wanted by Rijkaard. It was hardly a Pep signing.

The thing is we're talking about 'signings' differently. In terms of what you and Free are talking about, he's been a great signing. I'm not judging Mascherano at all. I thought the point was to judge the work of the technical staff, and in terms of why they brought him in, they didn't do a great job. What made Mascherano good for us was down to him, his hard work and Pep's great tactical vision. Pep is a genious at spotting how to improve a lot of players, and Masch was a genious for making it happen. However, I don't give much credit to the actual 'signing' of him for any of this.

Mascherano future Argentina player-manager (is that possible?)

Albiceleste wrote:Mascherano future Argentina player-manager (is that possible?)

It's already happening, look at the recent footage:

The title should really be Javier "no you see it, now you don't" Maschrano.

I doubt that Mascherano would become manager, even if he does pronably not long term, he most likely has better things to do with his life.

Monster Masch, I think he's the only player that hasn't missed a game because of injury or illness in the last two seasons at Barca.

Them muscles.

Damn.. he's up there with ronaldo and seedorf

Masche has been renewed for 2 more years until 2016. Although the agreement is yet to be signed, that will take a few more weeks, the negotiating is done and the signing is just a formality. His new exit clause is 100 million euros. He commented on his twitter saying that "I am very happy to be living this moment!" and was recently quoted as claiming that "giving up my signing fee to sign for Barca is the best decision I ever made".

Monster Masch

In my opinion though, Masche has 2 more years at Barca before he is deemed surplus. Not sure why we extended his contract since we won't be able to sell him for a good price at 32.

I think Mascherano has a good 4 years left in him, and to be honest when Puyol retires we would need someone in the backline with leadership, he was Argentina's captain till Messi came around + he will improve in defense considering he just recently moved into that position, 28 is a good age.

#MASCHERANO2016

@Mascherano played 97 official games in 2 seasons at @FCBarcelona: 72W 18D 7L, 0 goals #fcblive average of 10 balls won back per 90 minutes

I am actually starting to hate him..

The reason is, I accept he isnt a natural centerback, I even accept that every now and again he is going to run out and get attracted to the ball, leaving space that should be left...at least, against elites I can accept this is going to happen, he has limitations.

But why oh why, no matter who he plays with...its him who sucks the most.

Bartra, Song and even Adriano...they all look the better of the pair when they played wirh him.

Never liked him before Barca...he partially won me over with his displays last season and I had hoped he would kick on from there...now he has taken not steps, but giantic leaps backwards...

The only reason I am not completely dispising him is his attitude.

Suspended for the upcoming match... Get good rest buddy

Song looking better than Mascherano in CB? lol

http://www.fcbarcelona.es/futbol/primer-equipo/detalle/noticia/javier-mascherano-hasta-2018

Renewed until 2018.