Acceptable also
Barca squad/XI
- Thread starter MonteCuler
- Start date
JamDav1982
Well-known member
Kounde behind Raphinha hasnt worked for Barca.
Kound is not good enough on ball to take width and Raphinha is not a dribbler.
Kounde needs a 1v1 player on front of him an Raph needs freedom to move off the ball.
Against a top RB where want to match their energy and ask Raph to do a job maybe but not week in week out.
Kound is not good enough on ball to take width and Raphinha is not a dribbler.
Kounde needs a 1v1 player on front of him an Raph needs freedom to move off the ball.
Against a top RB where want to match their energy and ask Raph to do a job maybe but not week in week out.
MonteCuler
Well-known member
The dream right now
Joan
Kounde Cubarsi Christensen Cancelo
Pedri Frenkie Olmo
Yamal Alvarez Raphinha
Assuming Christensen injuries stop. Big assumption.
Assuming Kounde wakes the fuck up. Big assumption.
And of course, Alvarez...
Which is why this is the dream. But if somehow we achieve this I would have big ambitions for next season
Joan
Kounde Cubarsi Christensen Cancelo
Pedri Frenkie Olmo
Yamal Alvarez Raphinha
Assuming Christensen injuries stop. Big assumption.
Assuming Kounde wakes the fuck up. Big assumption.
And of course, Alvarez...
Which is why this is the dream. But if somehow we achieve this I would have big ambitions for next season
Don Money Laporta Estruch
I always tell the truth, even when I lie.
Unless Adeyimi comes in and is a big hit, the squad, as it stands, is almost entirely dependent on Yamal when it comes to winning trophies.
I was expecting 2 or 3 new regular first team players. Currently we've bought none.
A repeat of last year's team doesn't look that impressive to me.
I was expecting 2 or 3 new regular first team players. Currently we've bought none.
A repeat of last year's team doesn't look that impressive to me.
JamDav1982
Well-known member
That would be starting line up for me also probably if all fit but Kounde needs to buck up ideas and could see cancelo RB and Balde LB again but not expected to take width as much.
Also Gerard ahead of Christensen probably as just cant trust him to be more than a back up.
Olmo is the only AM Barca have that can drop deeper and allow midfield to be more flexible depending on what game neeeds.
MonteCuler
Well-known member
Joan, Cubarsi, Pedri, Olmo, Raphinha, Fermin? I guess these won't do anything
And we will almost certainly sign more players until end of the window. Gordon and Adeyemi deals were finished very quickly. For all we know tomorrow morning we could sign new player.
Still don't like the look of our CBs to be honest, but maybe Cortes is the solution here (profile+good age). La Masia first and all that. Could just as well be a disaster though 
My 2nd big issue is our midfield. It feels like opponents just constantly overloaded and outworked Pedri in CL, who has far too many responsibilities in Flicks setup. We also got unlucky with injuries though (Frenkie and Bernal). Would still be nice to have a physical workhorse to relieve Pedri. Never watched him actively, but maybe that Guerra guy isn't the worst option.
My 2nd big issue is our midfield. It feels like opponents just constantly overloaded and outworked Pedri in CL, who has far too many responsibilities in Flicks setup. We also got unlucky with injuries though (Frenkie and Bernal). Would still be nice to have a physical workhorse to relieve Pedri. Never watched him actively, but maybe that Guerra guy isn't the worst option.
Don Money Laporta Estruch
I always tell the truth, even when I lie.
Joan, Cubarsi, Pedri, Olmo, Yamal, Fermin and Gavi have all won La Liga and the World Cup this season. There is not a cat in hell's chance they will put in the same effort and desire into this season, at least in the league, as they did last. That is just basic human psychology.
Rule 1 of staying at the top, freshen up your first xi every year or two. 2 or 3 new FIRST TEAM PLAYERS. Inject some new desire and motivation into the squad. Keep the players on their toes.
The sides above have Kounde, Christensen and De Jong reliant on them. 2 of those 3 are never fit, with one missing for maybe the whole of next season. The other, Kounde is just too slow, too comfortable and too lackadaisical to be good enough to be first choice for Barca anymore.
As things stand, Madrid should be fairly strong favourites for La Liga.
Rule 1 of staying at the top, freshen up your first xi every year or two. 2 or 3 new FIRST TEAM PLAYERS. Inject some new desire and motivation into the squad. Keep the players on their toes.
The sides above have Kounde, Christensen and De Jong reliant on them. 2 of those 3 are never fit, with one missing for maybe the whole of next season. The other, Kounde is just too slow, too comfortable and too lackadaisical to be good enough to be first choice for Barca anymore.
As things stand, Madrid should be fairly strong favourites for La Liga.
JamDav1982
Well-known member
Nah winning becomes a drug and they want more of it.
Players are more aware of their own legacies than every before and wont be issue with how focused they are.
Of course that will be used as excuse if Real win but wont be the case.
Just as wasnt the case when won Euros and hasnt been case for best Barca teams of the past.
Players are more aware of their own legacies than every before and wont be issue with how focused they are.
Of course that will be used as excuse if Real win but wont be the case.
Just as wasnt the case when won Euros and hasnt been case for best Barca teams of the past.
MonteCuler
Well-known member
They won the WC but haven't done shit on club level. And they have a pretty passionate German guy to keep them in check. I do think they will put same effort if not more.
Relying on Kounde and De jong is okay. De jong is not out for all of next season, think no source reported that. Kounde has been shit last season but had a solid world cup and we will see if he brings his form back, if not we have Eric on RB. Christensen is more wishful thinking and Martin is the more likely option but not impossible that he returns physically to his level.
As for Madrid ,they have low team chemistry. At this point they create a new team every season. Only fixed players Vini and Mbappe don't play with each other. Mourinho hasn't managed at top level for 10 years and questions are real about how he will tactically make this Madrid team work against top teams.
They have signed great players but a lot of question marks are still there for Madrid. The players themselves are mostly deadwood their clubs let go without any fuss. Diomande and Konate are promising for them, not sure for the others.
JamDav1982
Well-known member
Those players Real signed were not seen a dead wood by their clubs.
MonteCuler
Well-known member
They are all finished players past their prime that their clubs don't need anymore
Except Diomande and Konate (who was also horrible last season which is why Pool let him go but at least can improve)
And Espi, but this guy won't even play. I genuinely think they signed him mostly because Barca was linked.
The WC win is likely to get them more motivated, not less, in my opinion.
I get the point of rotating a few key pieces every few years, but we can also argue that has been done with the signings of Gordon and Adeyemi, who will be motivated to start winning serious competitions in their careers.
We will be among the top 6 teams to win the CL; with a bit of luck, anything is possible.
In the league, we've won three titles back-to-back two times in our entire history.
Plus, winning three titles, unless you are in Germany or France, isn't an easy or common thing to do.
Madrid will be super motivated. If we lose it this year, in my opinion, we would have lost it anyway, regardless of signings.
But we will win.
I get the point of rotating a few key pieces every few years, but we can also argue that has been done with the signings of Gordon and Adeyemi, who will be motivated to start winning serious competitions in their careers.
We will be among the top 6 teams to win the CL; with a bit of luck, anything is possible.
In the league, we've won three titles back-to-back two times in our entire history.
Plus, winning three titles, unless you are in Germany or France, isn't an easy or common thing to do.
Madrid will be super motivated. If we lose it this year, in my opinion, we would have lost it anyway, regardless of signings.
But we will win.
JamDav1982
Well-known member
No they are not.
City wanted to keep Silva and he was good last season.. Barca wanted him also.
Dumfriies Inter couldnt stop leaving.
Cucu is not past his prime and Chelsea ideally wanted him to stay but understood reasons wanted to leave and got a good fee.
Konate been hot and cold and poor a lot but Liverpool wanted to keep him.
Espi is starting out and Levante couldnt stop him leaving
Also Espi was on verge of moving to EPL and not Barca. Real asked him to halt it.
Real want players they believe can rely on now as need to win. They are not trying to build for next 5 years at this moment.
Don Money Laporta Estruch
I always tell the truth, even when I lie.
Predictions :
1) No new RB. Continue with Kounde, ( who will be poor again ). Cover from Espart/Fort.
2) No new CB. Continue with Eric / Martin. Cover from Cortez promoted.
3) No new Pivot. Reliance on Bernal to step up.
4). Alvarez or bust. Inflated wages for Ferran on a new deal if no Alvarez.
5). Onion Bhaji phased out completely. His shit minutes to go to Gordon/Adeyemi when Lamine DECIDES he wants 10 minutes off.
6) Bisiwu to surprise to the upside. Moved into First Xi later on in the season and get the odd cameo off the bench.
7) Adeyimi to be used predominantly as a CF, rather than on the wing.
In conclusion, La Masia required to cover for the poor job done by our Sporting Department once again.
1) No new RB. Continue with Kounde, ( who will be poor again ). Cover from Espart/Fort.
2) No new CB. Continue with Eric / Martin. Cover from Cortez promoted.
3) No new Pivot. Reliance on Bernal to step up.
4). Alvarez or bust. Inflated wages for Ferran on a new deal if no Alvarez.
5). Onion Bhaji phased out completely. His shit minutes to go to Gordon/Adeyemi when Lamine DECIDES he wants 10 minutes off.
6) Bisiwu to surprise to the upside. Moved into First Xi later on in the season and get the odd cameo off the bench.
7) Adeyimi to be used predominantly as a CF, rather than on the wing.
In conclusion, La Masia required to cover for the poor job done by our Sporting Department once again.
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There are only 3+1 first team numbers available.
1 (should go to Joan)
2 (Cancelo?)
9 & 12 (Adeyemi & Gordon)
14
Then there is Bisiwu
I doubt Flick wants a squad with 25 players. Impossible to keep everyone happy. And that is without Cortes, Espart etc.
Surely there will has to be departures. Only 3 weeks left though and very quiey around likes of Casado, Araujo and Roony.
1 (should go to Joan)
2 (Cancelo?)
9 & 12 (Adeyemi & Gordon)
14
Then there is Bisiwu
I doubt Flick wants a squad with 25 players. Impossible to keep everyone happy. And that is without Cortes, Espart etc.
Surely there will has to be departures. Only 3 weeks left though and very quiey around likes of Casado, Araujo and Roony.
The 2 questions I have are with the 9 and RB positions. Especially considering the ability of Gordon and Adeyemi to play the role of a mobile striker, and wether Kounde is still bad or he can return to his 2023-2025 form.
Thanks to Deco and Flick I have no question regarding CB area because we did jack shit to even ask the questions there. The only unknown is the fitness status of Christensen.
Raphinha can't play 9. Not technical enough. Doubt Gordon can also. Both Gordon and Raphinha are intense and fast wide forwards. Not 9s, not 10s. Never.
The hope is Adeyemi and that insufferable Torres. We're playing with fire here. Hoping someone bags the 30-40 goals that Lewandowski brought to the table...
But maybe some people here are right, Flick can perform miracles offensively and even someone who is not even a clear 9 can bag 30-40 goals in a season.
If that doesn't happen the pressure will be very high on our two best players, Lamine, and Raphinha. They will be required to provide A LOT of end product.
Thanks to Deco and Flick I have no question regarding CB area because we did jack shit to even ask the questions there. The only unknown is the fitness status of Christensen.
Raphinha can't play 9. Not technical enough. Doubt Gordon can also. Both Gordon and Raphinha are intense and fast wide forwards. Not 9s, not 10s. Never.
The hope is Adeyemi and that insufferable Torres. We're playing with fire here. Hoping someone bags the 30-40 goals that Lewandowski brought to the table...
But maybe some people here are right, Flick can perform miracles offensively and even someone who is not even a clear 9 can bag 30-40 goals in a season.
If that doesn't happen the pressure will be very high on our two best players, Lamine, and Raphinha. They will be required to provide A LOT of end product.
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JamDav1982
Well-known member
Yamal is far and away Barcas best player.
If there is one player tactically can give up a bit for him to get ball more an fresher it has to be him.
Allowing him more freedom to get into areas that can hurt opposition is crucial and hopefully more attacking threats that can run and not 35 year old statues can help that.
On a whole last season Cubarsi the 2nd best. Hopefully can carry it on.
There are a lot of players that should be better than last season through more experience and less injuries. While some just cannot be as bad again surely.
If there is one player tactically can give up a bit for him to get ball more an fresher it has to be him.
Allowing him more freedom to get into areas that can hurt opposition is crucial and hopefully more attacking threats that can run and not 35 year old statues can help that.
On a whole last season Cubarsi the 2nd best. Hopefully can carry it on.
There are a lot of players that should be better than last season through more experience and less injuries. While some just cannot be as bad again surely.
Draconifire
Well-known member
He has to. This is the only way with modern football.
Either you keep some players unhappy, or you burnout/injure various players come March. There is no if, this is inevitable.
I would rather keep players unhappy than risk losing the UCL & LaLiga.