Transfer Rumours V6

I don't know why you hate Alba so much. He was one of Spain's best players during the Euros.

Besides, who do you have to replace him?

I assume you mean on the pitch? Not from a personality/mentality point of view or his reluctance to take a pay cut.

Because he isnt a very good player. I guess I see something different to you.

Being one of the better players for 6-7 games isnt really meaningful to me.

He had a 6-7 game spell like this last season where for some reason, people were tricked into thinking he was good. No, he was just given total freedom in attack with no defensive responsibility playing in a 343 against poor competition. As soon as things got tough again, playing the real teams we saw the same Alba again.

What is more meaningful is the countless high level games he has been a horror show, as recently as Madrid at the end of the season. Disaster game where he was directly at fault for 2 goals.

Who do we have right now? Nobody, that is the problem. Its not a priority when it should be.

I hate the guy as much as Madrid fans do and no doubt about his weak mentality and poor conduct. Also I won't say he is a good defender because he doesn't read the game well defensively.

However when given the freedom to roam he has things that I challenge you to name 5 current LBs better than him. The ability to see an early pass, accuracy of of passes, work rate, getting into goalscoring positions even. He plays very well in transition IMHO but isn't really the player whom you'd want against a deeper defensive line.

With Firpo and Miranda gone (and they were worse than Alba in every category I can think of), I don't know who else you have to replace him even if you wanted to. I'm very much against playing right footed players at LB so no to Emerson, Dest and Roberto.

He gives the ball away far too frequently to be called a good passer.

He is good in 2 areas. He is quick across 5-10m and he has a good low crosses to a target which isnt Messi. The rest of his game, no different to your average leftback you find across La Liga.

Work rate? Its failing him, he either isnt getting back quickly or he is limiting his forward movements. There is no game he currently does both.

You are describing more like a 27 year old Alba, not a 33 (?) year old one.

Replacements? Im talking about signing/loaning/swap dealing for one, not trying to fit in square pegs in round holes like Dest or Roberto.

You say name 5 better leftbacks if given freedom? What is freedom? He is a leftback, what does that even mean? Freedom of not having defensive responsibility? No leftback should have such a freedom, that's not how winning teams play.

If you mean, move anywhere he likes, this isnt even a positive, he frequently ignores his role of providing width to play in the half space, without a player ahead of him even capable of playing out wide. I dont want to give freedom to players who come inside and force players like Griezmann to play further wide, where he is incredibly ineffective.

Name 5 better leftbacks? There are many more than 5 but quickly the obvious ones are

Either Hernandez, Davies, Mendy, Shaw, Guerrero, Robertson, Cancelo if he elects to play there, his old teammate Digne is even better than current Alba.

Even Madrid dont rely on Marcelo anymore, despite him always being superior to Alba previously, because they understand his limits now. But even this Marcelo is better than Alba.

There are other players, who may not even be of the level of this Alba, but would improve us alot more because they are what we need, positionally, defensively and even offensively.

I don't post here  much, just logged into replay this, i have exact same opinion as Dani aka The Franchise. Alba is glorified LW who heppens to play as a LB. Only in Barcelona. He has no defensive skill whatsoever. I cant remember i have ever seen a LB who plays for top team with no defensive skill or as poor one as Alba.

He played many top matches where, because of him Barca conceded at least one or two goals, but some how he still playing for Barcelona at the age of 33.

Información @ElTransistorOC

El Real Madrid vería bien que se ayudara al Barcelona para que Messi se quede en el clubhttps://t.co/Ti3J6TTwws

— Onda Cero (@OndaCero_es) July 22, 2021

Apparently Liga might need to show some leniency for signing Messi, as they're are negotiating new TV-contract in Septemper.

Shaw is a very good shout. Just look at how he plays the left back position for England and Man United. Controlling the pace of the game from the fullback position, crossing, vision, touch, he is just miles ahead of any left back right now. His technique is just outstanding.

Manaj seems to have been sold. Not sure why. I like him a lot more than Braithwaite. The Dane should have been sold first.

Emerson also rumored to be sold. Our best RB imo, bad idea

Felix-Griezmann swap still on the cards. Atleti open for negotiation (cadena ser)

I think Braithwaite is seen as more adaptable as he can play on the sides, which I think is better for Depay and Aguero.

It is probably also true nobody really wants to sign Braithwaite for the 7m+ we would want.

Barcelona have proposed a swap deal between Griezmann and João Félix. It's very complicated but Diego Simeone is in favor. [cat radio]

Where would you play Félix though? On the RW? Don't think that is a good idea.

Ansu/Felix—Depay/Kun—Dembele/Demir

I see Felix as a versatile player, LW/RW or down the middle. I wouldnt be too keen on his transfer but anything to get Griezmann off the books.


Don't think this transfer will come to fruition though. Atleti dont want to take on Griezmann's wages and rightly so from a business perspective.

Atleti surely arent this crazy.

Where would he fit? Hard to say. On the left, he can play on the inside half space while Alba does what he does. While rotating positions with Depay in the center.

Fati complicates this equation unless he can play on the right. He did play some games there at the start of his introduction, making Pedro like diagonal runs. It isnt an overall ideal fit that is true though.

Id trade Griezmann for a pair of sandles and MJ's greatest hits on cassette tape though so it is what it is. I will not complain about a talent as high as Felix if it happens, which is highly doubt.

Antoine Griezmann to Atletico Madrid is moving very fast - talks on over a €50m transfer, if Atletico can't agree to this, then Barcelona are willing to do a loan with option to buy that would see Atletico pay the fee next summer. [l'equipe via @GFFN] pic.twitter.com/yUu7Dni6AT

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 31, 2021

no mention of Felix, but Griezmann to Atleti is possible

L'Equipe and RMC, reputable sources

Isn't this like the third time this summer we've gotten this rumor?

I think thats because negotiations have been ongoing all summer, on and off. Obvously Griezmanns wages are the problem. Loan with mandatory buyout is on the table as of now

Looks like he's gone. Shame it didn't work out. Real tragedy no one saw that coming before he was signed. (/s).

Seems it went down to the wire as was dependent on Saul to Chelsea. Still not official official.
Overall, positive I think. Humongous wages and not contributing much on the field.
BUT, you have to imagine that he would eventually hit form. With him gone, we are a little short of quality up front. Season depends on Fati coming good and midfield contributing goals. Roberto has done it first 3 games. Let's see if he keeps it up. I would be more Coutinho now as we know he has goals in him.

What percentage of revenue does Griezman leaving get us to? Without Messi, we were at 95%. I am guessing this gets us to 85%.
What must not be forgotten is that we have shed almost $150m in annual wages. Makes us financially much better positioned.

Making room for the Haaland race next summer. Griezmann simply had to go

Is this a joke????

So the quality of our front and backline have been balanced now (a combination of overrated la masia cadets + talented injury-prone players + scrubs). Well done Laporta. I see why he wanted Koeman to stay. He could not manage any other to run this poverty team.

I don't understand whats the point of Luuk. Why not just keep Raj Manaj? Either of them have about 5 goals per season loaded up in their chamber.

I cant imagine a more pointless signing and he's going to hold up a spot that could've been given to a youngster.

Even though its a loan its embarrasing, even worse than the signing of Braithwaite and KP Boateng.

Order must have come from Koeman. The Dutch connection is back.