Le Samourai wrote:Is Abidal definitely gone?

You won't buy two left backs.Adriano is a very very versatile player, someone who could fit all of Pep's formations and who could plug in on the left or right any time.

Likely 1 left back- replacement for Abidal and
1 versatile utility player- replacement for Adriano.

Can't think of a better utility player who can fill LB,RB,RM,LM though.

Who knows, but we cant rely on him at this point. If Adriano wasnt leaving, we would get a new leftback...if he does leave, then that leaves an even bigger gap.

Why wouldnt we get 2 leftbacks? We signed 2 strikers in the same window before. The only reason is we would prefer to use a youth player in that position.

Pep buys versatile players, period.

We are linked with him to much this month how good is he ?

Very good, a fantastic offensive force who can play right or left fullback or wing.

Too injury prone though.

To think about it...you might end up signing both Alba and Felipe.

Still think both aren't nearly as versatile as Adriano( or Abidal for that matter), since both are essentially....limited to the left and only ALba can play LM.

To me....Muniesa should be a strong canidate to get minutes and you can buy just a LB (whoever) and then buy someone who can cover all the positions Adriano can.

At least the important ones...LB , RB and LM .

Yeah, I wouldnt be that upset if we got a class leftback and Muniesa back him up. Though, I am not really convinced on the youngster in that position, but if he being promoted then thats a way to use him.

Is there really no chance of Jose Enrique. Yes, he only been there 1 season but they wont qualify for the CL, so...

I'd actually prefer we'd keep him, but as the backup player he's been thus far. I'm getting the whole injury prone thing and it's a real bummer now Abi is gone, but most of the time he's been available to play when Abidal was not. He's always played decent and he's a great utility player.

I'm just really afraid of the Alba deal actually happening. Not about what he'll bring offensively, but what he will bring defensively (mostly in the air). If that happens, we really should also buy a leftback with some more hight. But I'm still not convinced getting Alba is worth going through all of that as well. You know, finding a club for Adriano and finding another not-too-short leftback at the right price with the right quality.

The problem is, well according to reports, its him who wants to play more rather then us looking to sell.

The Franchise wrote:Very good, a fantastic offensive force who can play right or left fullback or wing.

Too injury prone though.

Offensive force? Funny you mention it, Ive hardly seen him going forward...
Adriano is best used as a backup in barcelona, would be starting eleven XI elsewhere tho.

You need to watch Barca play then lol

Only time he doesnt go forward is when Dani Alves is on the other side or Cuenca (someone who hugs the touchline) is in front of him. Both of those situations are rare.

I'm undecided about Adriano.

I read a report that he prefers to stay, where did you Franchise find a info, that he prefers to go?

At the one hand, I hate that he is injury prone, and I think that we should sell him for 15 M or more. But on the other hand, he is good player, very versatile, and I got a feeling that if we sell him we will buy Alba (another Catalan) and promote Muniesa and EMD, Sport, Zubi and the rest will fap that we have 2 La Masia players as LB when in reality we would get weaker in LB (Adriano, Abidal out, Muniesa Alba in = weaker). I'm not getting the Alba hype, I think board wants to buy him to fap over another Catalan, another prodigal son successfully return to home.

goal.com

Take that for what it is lol

The Franchise wrote:The problem is, well according to reports, its him who wants to play more rather then us looking to sell.

Maybe if he didn't get injured too often he'd get to play more. I like him as a backup player but he doesn't have the composure of Abidal. But then again who would you actually replace Abidal with? There is no body in the LB position who can contribute to Barça as much as him therefore any replacement would be a downgrade. That said I'm sure most wouldn't have minded Marcelo as a replacement if he didn't play for Madrid. To me he is the best left back in the world right now.

http://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/representante-adriano-descarta-traspaso-final-temporada-1594137

Agent dismisses transfer rumors and states that Adriano wants to stay.

Not sure if he never had an intention to leave, but Abidal's time off should give him plenty of time to play. It might sound cynical but that's what the timing of the statements tell me.

Yep, same here. I think and hope he stays.

We still a need a leftback of course.

Well played again. Great player, deserves the starting spot no matter who we sign in my opinion. Make the new player earn their spot like he's earned his. Excellent dribbler going forward. Solid at the back.

How much was he again? 10 million?

Money well spent, IMO.

One of the better transfers for Barca in recent times. Maybe not a superstar signing or anything, but for that price- he's been well worth it.

BarcaKizz wrote:Well played again. Great player, deserves the starting spot no matter who we sign in my opinion. Make the new player earn their spot like he's earned his. Excellent dribbler going forward. Solid at the back.

I agree completely.If he can get rid of his injury problems I would have no problem with him being our starting LB.
He is also after Messi,our best player at driving into the box.he is brilliant at it and whenever he drives into the box his cutbacks are very dangerous.
Adriano>any name we have been linked with including and especially Bale.

Has been very good this season.One of our best 3 players along with Xavi and Messi.
Very good at LB,scored a couple of cracking goals and has even filled in at CB reasonably well.
Especially yesterday when we were down to 10 and Deportivo looked threatening he came in and did a good job.
With Puyol,Pique out,I think we should experiment more with Adrinao as CB.
Cant be any worse than Song or Masch.
A very good versatile player who can do the job in multiple positions.

He will probably be another option as a centreback. Tito will experiement with him as well as he did with Song and Pep with Y.Toure and Masch. He looks good there though still needs improvement. Disappionted that he doesn't have height

Adriano - The Multi-tool

Is a stretch to say best fullback in La Liga this season? He must be in the running at least?

At least best goal, best game and best season so far for Adriano tonight for me.

I personally can't think of anyone who has been better.

Just realized that it was similar goal that the winner against Valencia, but with other foot.

Adriano only scores golazos

I just hope he keeps fit. He is like a Swiss army knife