Afellay is like the perfect super sub, I really hope he doesn't go.

windkick wrote:
Doubt it, Droopy face Harry can't sign a player to save his life

To be honest I think Harry deserves more credit than he is given. He might just be the best active English manager today.

He also has been a smart wheeler and dealer in the transfer market. That last minute acquisition of van der Vaart last summer was really commendable.

Having said that Tottenham trying to sign players has become a big joke since this winter.

Now they are supposed to be closing in on Mirko Vucinic. As far as my opinion goes I like this player. Good skill, nice to watch and plays with heart. However he is inconsistent. Spurs need an assured goal scorer to make best use of whatever Modric, Bale and VDV create. I think if this is true they are making a wrong purchase who could flop badly.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:One can see why it might be appealing to Afellay though. If he cares more about establishing himself than winning trophies as a fringe player - which is what he'll remain to be here - tottenham might provide a good option for that. It would also be good business by Barca. Buy for 3M sell for 15M is a great return, so I can see Rosell going for it.

alfred, this is certainly worth a discussion for a few reasons.

1. I think Afellay must be really aiming to be a starter for Netherlands in Euro 2012. Robben's injury problems coupled with Kuyt's lack of quality means the door is open for him. However if he doesn't get enough minutes he loses his chance to someone else such as the wonderful to watch Eljero Elia.

2. We could sell him. It's not impossible at least. However would that mean we buy one more forward? Or would it mean we retain Jeffren? What do you all think? What is the best course of action if Afellay is sold? Let's also be sure that if we purchase Fabregas, there will be no place for Afellay in midfield.

Jeffren would stay, given that Soriano has just sustained a season ending injury. That leaves 5 forwards for 3 positions which means everyone will enjoy minutes. Should another player be needed we can always draw from the B team.

I also think that Afellay has his eye on that international spot, and his prospects of playing more minutes - or even as many minutes (relative to the halfseason, of course) - are lower than before with the signing of Sanchez, Thiago's blossoming and Cesc's possible if not probable arrival.

I also don't think Barca offer much upwards mobility to him. With Sanchez' arrival he is a lot less likely to steal a place in the starting eleven from Pedro because there is increased competition. Likewise, in the midfield Thiago's development (and Barca's likely decision to promote their own youth rather than Afellay) are another upcoming threat to him. It's also unlikely that the Cescgate will have a good result for him, whether it gets solved now or the next year or the next. The chances of him breaking into the starting eleven in the next year, or even the next two, are very slim.

alfred, your comments make very good sense. Afellay was probably never the appropriate buy for us. It's just that he was available for cheap and we needed a player for squad depth. Hence we went for him.

What do you think about Marquez and Henry loan for 1st half of season :r

messixaviesta wrote:alfred, your comments make very good sense. Afellay was probably never the appropriate buy for us. It's just that he was available for cheap and we needed a player for squad depth. Hence we went for him.

He is staying at Barca, it's only in our club when we sign someone fans start wondering 'where will he play', 'what it means to the youngsters' etc We have small squad and Afellay will stay you should stop analyzing his future and read all this media bs from Mirrorfootball and Tribalfootball or other The Sun.

So Soriano is out the entire season? That sucks

injuring your cruciate ligaments is very bad its a serious injury, who knows how he will play when he comes back :/

windkick wrote:So Soriano is out the entire season? That sucks

My Twitter says eight weeks which sounds better than this at least.

messixaviesta wrote:

windkick wrote:So Soriano is out the entire season? That sucks

My Twitter says eight weeks which sounds better than this at least.

its official, he will be out between 6 to 8 weeks! :S

thanks guys!

What twitter pages are good to follow? I just got one and have some players, but what's good for news and rumors etc

www.twitter.com/barcastuff

www.twitter.com/fcbarcelona


etc..

Thanks!

Wonder what happened with the deal the rumor of Oscar from Inter (brazil)

windkick wrote:Thanks!

Wonder what happened with the deal the rumor of Oscar from Inter (brazil)

Windkick, if you find me on twitter. Same name, barcakizz. I have all the Barca players official twitters, including youth players. Don't bother adding me though, I only use it to follow them.

Thanks friend

Centre-back options if Milito leaves: Sebastian Coates (20 Nacional URU) Matias Silvestre (26 Catania ARG) Jan Vertonghen (24 Ajax BEL) [md]

I say vertonghen since players in dutch leagues would be more familiar with our kind of system

I just remembered we still have Milito........why is that? lol

Get him out.

Yeah he's pretty much useless

The Franchise wrote:I just remembered we still have Milito........why is that? lol

Get him out.

No one want's him , sort of how like i went out tonight and got all the chicks( or the good ones ) and my mate got nothing( no one wanted him )

Thinking of starting to call him Gabriel Milito, but anyway i digress sign Vertonghen he's quality enough to add some real depth and come in for Puyol when he need's resting or is injured. But not outstanding that he will prevent the youth cb's getting no chance of impressing and being sold on.

Can anyone explain to me why Jeffren would refuse a move to Udinese Calcio but accept one to Sporting Lisbon?

Udinese are a team with no ambition. Their goal is to hype their players up and sell them for a lot of money, but at the expense of any hope of ever winning a title. Every Italian hates that they're in the CL now, as they will probably try to lose on purpose so that they can get back to the league and hype more players for profit.

Latest rumors say that Cesc will pay for the 5M dividing Barca and Arsenal himself.

messixaviesta wrote:Can anyone explain to me why Jeffren would refuse a move to Udinese Calcio but accept one to Sporting Lisbon?

I could understand that.

Sporting have a big project going, get some very interesting signings. They trying to recreate the 3 team battle that Portugal used to have.

But also, he is more likely to play at Sporting then Udinese and I think Portugal and that league suits him as a player and a person better then Italy and Serie A.

Good choice IMO.