Carles Aleñà i Castillo



PLACE OF BIRTH: Mataró, Spain
DATE OF BIRTH: 05/01/1998
WEIGHT: 73kg
HEIGHT: 180cm
CLUB DEBUT: 30/11/2016

His awareness is very high for someone his age. Before he receives the ball he already knows where his team mates and opposition team mates are, and he has already decided what he wants to do. You can't teach these traits. He reads the game so well. Compared to Arthur whose only goal seems to be keeping the ball rather than move it forward, or Coutinho who has very low awareness of the pitch and needs a few seconds after receiving the ball to decide what to do with it ,and doesn't have much of a vision and creativity to catch the opponent off guard.

Passing:

Awareness:




Technique:

He is a great talent. I am happy that he is getting chances. Has potential to be a first team player. The Arthur injury could be a blessing in disguise. He gets more chances to step up.
Dont quite agree with your assessment of Arthur. Yes, he holds the ball a bit too long sometimes. But his passing has been better past couple of months. Played some wonderful balls between the lines. It will come with time.

He fit right into the first team, no problem. Really happy he has been getting chances and he's look so comfortable out there. Reminds me so much of the promise we had when Thiago first got called up.

He is also a good size player which probably helps allot, unlike Puig who is built like an infant and needs time to grow into his body still.

Puig is 19 but has the body of a 14 year old girl. Needs to hit the gym hard.

I really like the way he plays. Is not afraid to go for goal and had two shot attempts today, the second of which led to the Messi winner. I want him to start against Madrid. Kid is ready and there is no harm in starting him in the Copa Clasico.

He transitioned into the first team so seamlessly that its kind of gone unnoticed how comfortable and good he is given he has only played with the first team a few months. Reminds me of when Thiago got promoted in that regard.

Alena is great at holding on to the ball and isn't afraid to create chances in tight spaces, and doesn't give the ball away much, and also clearly looks for goal when given the opportunity. Kid only turned 21 in January.

So Valverde said he will continue to play the strongest possible 11 in La Liga
Ten point lead. La Liga in the bag. Great time to test Alena, give rest to Rakitic who is surely tired.
I dont understand. Surely, its better to rest a few starters. Fringe players like Alena and Malcolm get a chance. That way, they are not rusty when they need to be called upon. And it gives the likes of Rakitic some much needed rest before crucial CL games.

Agreed. Rakitić and Suárez need to be rested. So does Alba IMHO.