OFFICIAL: Jordi Alba Joins Barcelona.

Viscaaaaaaaaaaa!! Alba

RT @barcastuff Official: Valencia announce the transfer of left back Jordi Alba (23) to Barcelona #fcblive

Not a Joke this time?

Was expecting this, as everyone was.

www.fcbarcelona.cat/futbol/primer-equip/detall/noticia/acord-amb-el-valencia-per-jordi-alba

fee?

14 million

thanks very much, that's what madrid paid for ozil in the same contract situation

Özil was a bargain as is this, when you take into consideration what we have paid for other players...

che wrote:14 million

thanks very much, that's what madrid paid for ozil in the same contract situation

No problems... now buy yourself some decent players with that money.

I think 14m is a bit too much..He's not the greatest full-back defensively speaking.

But anyways Congrats !

Congrats all the same.

Meh, 14m might be a little excessive but then again can anybody name anyone as good at a lower price?

Month of negotiations to finally buy the player for 1 milion less than what Valencia was asking initially.

This is our fault for not contemplating any other option.

Anyway, now Alba is one of ours, let's see what he can do. At least, I think this signing buries a little bit more the 343.

billy_gr wrote:Meh, 14m might be a little excessive but then again can anybody name anyone as good at a lower price?

Good point..But i was just merely commenting on the quality of the player.Defensively i dont find him that impressive but would suit Barca style nevertheless.

Surag wrote:

billy_gr wrote:Meh, 14m might be a little excessive but then again can anybody name anyone as good at a lower price?

Good point..But i was just merely commenting on the quality of the player.Defensively i dont find him that impressive but would suit Barca style nevertheless.

You and no one finds Alba defensively impressing to be honest.

He’s not… let’s see how it works out. Abidal had the ability to drop back and form a 3 man defence when Alves was making his runs… now we will have to be more careful

• Jordi Alba Stats in 10 games for the Spanish NT: 7W, 2D, 1L {0 goals, 3 assists} #fcblive 10 Starts, 1 Yellow Card.

• Jordi Alba Stats for Valencia (2011-12, all comps): 50 games (44 Starts), scored 3 goals and assisted 6 #fcblive 17 Yellow Cards, 1 Red Card
- Alba took the red card against Barcelona (89 min) on 21 Sept, 2011 (Valencia 2-2 Barcelona).

- Jordi Alba Stats in Liga & UCL 2011-12 via @WhoScored #fcblive 36 games (30 Starts), 2 goals, 5 assists, Passes (991/1246 - 80%), Tackles: 82, Interceptions: 108, Dribbled by other players: 21, Fouls: 43, Dribbles: 20, Key Passes 31, Fouled: 61.

Disagree with you guys... Alba can defend. He might not be the best defender around or as good as Abidal, but he can defend, he'll prove it for us. Only issue is his height, so we have to get round that factor in other ways (ie. buy a tall CB).

free_cat wrote:Month of negotiations to finally buy the player for 1 milion less than what Valencia was asking initially.

This is our fault for not contemplating any other option.

Anyway, now Alba is one of ours, let's see what he can do. At least, I think this signing buries a little bit more the 343.

14m to scrap the 343? Gladly. Oh and you'll throw in a decent left back as well? Thx.

Alba as LB > Alba as LW

IMO.

YAY.

14m for a leftback in the last year of his contract who may or may not be able to defend and certaintly has no ability in the air.

The stupidity.

He isnt worth 14m with 5 years left on his contract, let alone 1...Have not been this upset with a signing a very long time.

edit: Not including Cesc, that obviously doesnt count.

As it has been claimed by Barcelona officials in the past few years and recently by Rosell that Barcelona have €40 million (plus money from players sold) to spend in the next few years.

€40 - €14 = €26 million left to sign a centre back

That is not much considering you need a top CB, even though I have no doubt Barcelona have more than €40 million to spend every year and all these claims are so that they don't get ripped off.

I agree, €14 million is a lot for any player who's got one year left on his contract, and even more so for a La Masia reject like Alba.

What utter garbage. Alba not worth 14m? Have you guys even been watching the Euros? Infact, did you ever watch Valencia play apart from when they played Barca? Alba had easily been the best leftback in the euros by far, his connection with Iniesta and Pedro had been amazing. He has shown he can perform in a similar system to what we play, yet people think he's not worth it? Who the hell do you guys want? Some kid whos played under 20 games at leftback in Alaba? Lahm, would struggled to deal with Nani whilst Alba had Nani in his backpocket? We got caught on the counter so many times on the counter last season, notably in the games versus Madrid and Chelsea. Drogba's goal would never have happened if we had Alba at the time, he would have gotten back in time.

Also, stop being selective about Abidal, he was utter crap in his first season with us, then he vastly improved. Alba is 23 years old ffs, his ceiling as just as high, if not higher then Abidals.

Jonathan28 wrote:What utter garbage. Alba not worth 14m? Have you guys even been watching the Euros? Infact, did you ever watch Valencia play apart from when they played Barca? Alba had easily been the best leftback in the euros by far, his connection with Iniesta and Pedro had been amazing. He has shown he can perform in a similar system to what we play, yet people think he's not worth it? Who the hell do you guys want? Some kid whos played under 20 games at leftback in Alaba? Lahm, would struggled to deal with Nani whilst Alba had Nani in his backpocket? We got caught on the counter so many times on the counter last season, notably in the games versus Madrid and Chelsea. Drogba's goal would never have happened if we had Alba at the time, he would have gotten back in time.

Also, stop being selective about Abidal, he was utter crap in his first season with us, then he vastly improved. Alba is 23 years old ffs, his ceiling as just as high, if not higher then Abidals.

Mate, Alba is in the last year of his contract...14m is a joke.

Ozil went for the same.

Also Coentrao has been clearly better than Alba this Euros.

And no, his ceiling is not as high as Abidal, thats nonesense. He will never be the defender Abidal is.

Abidal and Alba are very different players. There was an argument back when I was at school where French fans argued who was the better left back for their team, Evra or Abidal. And everyone had their valid reasons for their choice.

That being said, I think Abidal is/was a world class player and Alba has lots to improve to be regarded world class.

@ Dani

Your talking as if there is a better leftback then Alba on the market for a cheaper price. You know as well as I do that there is not, he is by far the cheapest option we were going to get, and a very good one. Again, who did you want? Alaba? Lahm? Vargas? Baines? Bale? Who? Alba has been the best leftback at the euros, hasn't beem exposed like Coentrao has after his usual dribble into the opposition half. He has the speed which has help Spain break through parked buses, like against France, where he produced a wonderful cross for Alonso. Which is something else he brings, unlike Alves, he can actually cross the bloody ball. He also has Alves stamina as seen in the game versus Portugal where he was still running at full pelt in the 118th minute.

I do believe he will be as good as Abidal, not in the same way as Abidal is good, as he doesnt have his height, but in terms of giving us an extra threat on the counter he is an extremly good buy.